Oral history narratives will provide foundation for visual art
The Scarsdale Public Library, as part of its ongoing mission to enhance the cultural and intellectual life of community residents, will offer an eight-session workshop for adults 55+ titled “Memory, Narrative, Image: Oral History as Inspiration for Making Art” beginning in October. Using a variety of mediums, participants tell their life stories through art and then share their work with each other and invited guests at a culminating event on December 16th.
Teaching artists Diane Cherr and Mara Mills will guide participants in exploring their memories and family histories, first as oral stories, then using collage, mixed media, and assemblage techniques to build and illustrate their narratives.
“Memory, Narrative, Image’ will allow participants to engage in and explore the creative process in a supportive setting,” said Library Director Elizabeth Bermel. “Use of narratives encourages them to exercise memory and develop storytelling skills, and they’ll have the opportunity to explore a large range of art techniques to visually express their stories.”
Offered at no charge to participants, “Memory, Narrative, Image” is part of Creative Aging in New York State Libraries: A Regional Model with National Applicability, made possible by a $2,340 grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, with additional support from the Helen Andrus Benedict Foundation, and is administered in partnership with Westchester Library System, Lifetime Arts Inc. and American Library Association’s Public Programs Office. The Scarsdale Library was one of only 10 libraries in the Westchester County Library System to receive a grant. The program will be supplemented by funds from Friends of the Scarsdale Library.
“Memory, Narrative, Image” sessions will take place every Thursday from 10:00 am to noon for eight Thursdays in October and November, except Thanksgiving: 10/4, 10/11, 10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/8, 11/15 & 11/29. Participation is limited to 12 to 15 people, pre-registration is required, and participants must commit to be present for all sessions. To learn more, contact the Reference Desk at the Scarsdale Public Library.
The Scarsdale Public Library is located at 54 Olmsted Road, Scarsdale, NY, 10583. Phone: (914) 722-1300. Website: www.scarsdalelibrary.org
ABOUT THE LIBRARY
The Scarsdale Public Library serves a central role in the cultural and intellectual life of the Scarsdale community and encourages the joy of reading, the exploration of ideas and the pursuit of lifelong learning for children and adults. The Library offers print and electronic books, magazine, music, films, audio books and online resources; provides accurate and timely information in person, by telephone and email; and in collaboration with other local organizations, gathers and preserves local history information; presents programs that appeal to all ages and interests; and sponsors a wide variety of cultural events. The sixth busiest library in Westchester County, circulating nearly 133 items per hour, it is also a destination for computer use. In 2011, the public access computers were used more than 32,000 times, and its WiFi network supported almost 20,000 sessions from users of laptops and other wireless devices. During the first half of the 2011-2012 fiscal year, Scarsdale residents downloaded over 2,500 e-books.
