The Maplewood Library is offering a variety of events in honor of Black History Month. Here is the schedule:
Black History Month Craft
All ages * Drop in * Main Library
In history, quilts were often used as a way to tell a story and communicate. Beginning Monday, 2/2, drop in to the main branch and decorate your own quilt square throughout February. Craft your creation and we will add it to others to build our community quilt which we will displayed in the Children’s Room!
Art & Music Reception
Our Black History Month show is a printmaking exhibit, featuring photographically-derived images, both figurative and nature-inspired., by Onnie Strother and Yvette Lucas. Live music will be provided by the James White Band.
Saturday, February 7, 2:00 pm at Main Library Artist’s talk at 2:30
Artist’s Statement Yvette Lucas
“Nature, in its many forms, dominates the images that fascinate me. I feel life most intensely in a natural environment, in its elemental state: water, rock, tree, soil and sky come together again and again in infinite designs and patterns that breathe, grow and change. A living artwork, the land speaks to me most through its details, short stories and vignettes, rather than broad expanses of landscape. I take what calls to me, tells me about its life, and points to God.”
Artist’s Statement Onnie Strother
“ Much of my work is created through experimentation and research. Although printmaking and drawing are at the center of my practice, l create work in the medium that l feel best portrays its meaning. My subjects are as diverse as the civil rights movement, advertising, music, dance and history. Through collage, painting, photography and transfers I arrange and rearrange text and images into new conceptually layered pieces. During the research and production of each piece, new areas of interest arise and lead to the next work.”
Family Black History Month Movie
All ages * Drop in
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2/10, 2/12, 2/17, 2/19, 2/24, 2/26 @ 5:00 pm – Hilton Branch
Drop in and watch clips from a landmark civil rights movie. Stay for the whole hour or just a few minutes. SNACKS!
The Road From Selma
For families with children in 5th grade and up. Drop in
Authors Elspeth Leacock and Susan Buckley will read from their Young Adult Memoir Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the Selma Voting Rights March, in which Lynda Blackmon Lowery recounts her story of the 1965 Selma Montgomery Voting Rights March. The talk will include photographs, and archival film footage as the authors share Ms. Lowery’s experiences growing up in Alabama, participating in the voting rights movement, and being the youngest person to make the full march from Selma to Montgomery. [words] Bookstore will sell copies of the book at the event.
Thursday, February 19 @ 7:00 pm Main Library
Black History Month Storyteller
All ages * Drop In
Sat. 2/7 @ 11:00 am – Hilton Branch
Great for all ages, join Ms. Debbie as she takes you on a African Safari of Storytelling. Presentation includes: Simple Swahilli, African musical instruments, African story, and arm/face painting.
Family Art Program
Enjoy a Black History Month lesson in art exploring a different African-American Master Artists such as Faith Ringgold, Romare Bearden and Jacob Lawrence. Participants will create a piece of artwork inspired by one the Master artists. Led by
Simone Anthony-Brown from Express Yourself Studios
Monday, February 23
3:30-5 pm at Hilton Branch
A Day of History—Telling the Story
All ages, drop in
Meet the women of the North Jersey Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta and celebrate their history and Black History Month. Hear about the programs and activities they sponsor throughout the year and participate in a variety of activities. A Winter Booknic with storytelling and crafts for children will go on in the Children’s room, as well as a Spoken Word Poetry writing event for Teens and presentations on important members and work of this historic African American sorority.
Sat. 2/28 @ 2:00-4:00 pm – Main Library
