We’re kicking off our new Library Gallery with truly local art – masterpieces made by all of you! Last year’s Tiny Art Show was so successful and enjoyable that we’re doing it again.

Everyone’s an artist. You’re probably saying, “Oh no, not me.” Yes, you are! If you make art, you’re an artist. Merriam Webster defines an artist as “a person who creates art (such as painting, sculpture, music, or writing) using conscious skill and creative imagination.” Nothing in there about other people’s opinions, making money, or even about style, technique, and composition. Andy Warhol says it best:

“Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.”

So, listen to Andy. Pick up your Tiny Art kit beginning Monday, July 10^th. You’ll have two weeks to create your masterpiece and bring it back to the library. We’ll curate and assemble everyone’s pieces and open the Tiny Art Show on Tuesday, August 1. The show will run the entire month of August. Invite your friends, your neighbors, maybe even your enemies to come and enjoy our collective talents.

Guidelines for your art? Just that it has to use the 4×6 canvas that we provide and be family-friendly. To get your creativity jump started, our show theme is Fun in the Sun. Your kit includes the canvas, paints and a brush but if you’re inspired to make a collage, ink drawing or gel print, listen to that muse. We have 120 kits to give out and we’re hoping to have all of them back for the show.

We will display this year’s Tiny Art show in our new Library Gallery. The gallery space isn’t new, just our use of it. In the area on the library’s lower level, around our meeting rooms and offices, we installed rails from which we can hang art of various sizes and configurations. It makes good use of a place in the library that doesn’t have much foot traffic otherwise. It’s a great addition and a perfect way to showcase the talents in our community year round. Now, you can browse through and enjoy an art installation each time you visit.

The gallery rails were made possible through a generous gift from the Dorothy Poland memorial fund, gifted through our Friends of the Library group. If you’re interested in displaying your artwork, you can find an application and all the details at reedlibrary.org/art.

If you missed last year’s Tiny Art Show, you can see photos and the write up here. It was an amazing display of art, all created by you. Be part of this year’s Tiny Art Show. Make plans now to pick up your kit on the 10^th. We’ll have one waiting for you.