More Than 70 Free Art Progams at Hennepin County Libraries This Fall

Six free art education program series — consisting of more than 70 programs — will be presented this fall at Hennepin County libraries.

The Library is collaborating with the Minnetonka Center for the Arts, the Textile Center, Springboard for the Arts, ArtStart, Artsy Smartsy and Articulture to offer workshops on art and art-and-craft techniques and business aspects of being an artist.

Series’ titles are “Make This,” “Crafty Minnesota,” “Work of Art,” “Paint It Green,” “Art for Life,” and “Artitude: Comics and Manga.”
 
The programs, all funded by Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, are a follow-up to six very successful art education series presented this past spring. Registration filled quickly for almost all of the spring programs, which received very positive reviews from the participants. Almost 100 percent rated the quality of the programs as good, very good or excellent.
 
“With funding from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, Hennepin County Library is able to fulfill a unique role in the cultural life of our communities by partnering with local organizations to develop innovative opportunities for our patrons,” said Lois Langer Thompson, Library director.
 
Beginning Sept. 6, Minnetonka Center for the Arts will present 20 “Make This” workshops for teens in grades 7 – 12.
 
Teens will learn how to deconstruct, up-cycle and modify old clothing; create a “zine” publication; develop and refine anime drawing skills; create contemporary comics; and make jewelry. All supplies are provided.
September programs are as follows. For October and November programs, go to www.hclib.org and click on Events & Classes.  In the search box on the right, type Make This. Programs appear on the website 12 weeks in advance of the program date.
 
Make This: Fashion Design
Grades 7-12. Deconstruct, up-cycle and modify old clothing. Basic sewing, appliqué and surface design techniques that push the limits of ordinary fashion will be demonstrated. Bring along a few pieces of clothing that you aren’t afraid to cut-up, color or fray.

• Linden Hills Library
Thursday, Sept. 6, 6–8 p.m.
Registration required, begins Aug 9. Register online or call 612-543-6825.

• Pierre Bottineau Library
Saturday, Sept. 15, 3–5 p.m.
Registration required, begins Aug 18. Register online or call 612-543-6850.

Make This: (Maga)Zines
Southdale Library
Tuesday, Sept. 18, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Registration required, begins Aug. 21. Register online or call 612-543-5900.
Grades 7-12. “Zines” are small publications to express yourself and share with friends. Zines come in a variety of formats and use different media. Learn this creative and unique medium to get what you have to say out there!

Make This: Anime and Manga Drawings
St. Louis Park Library
Thursday, Sept. 20, 4–6 p.m.
Registration required, begins Aug. 23. Register online or call 612-543-6125.
Grades 7-12. Work with comic artist Adam Sward on developing and refining your anime drawing skills. Practice character and concept development, composition, drawing, inking and coloring. No previous drawing experience necessary.

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Adults will make a “cozy” (cover) for their cell phone, iPad, or eReader, a fashion-forward scarf, and fairy lights when instructors from the Textile Center, a national nonprofit organization for fiber art, present nine “Crafty Minnesota” workshops this fall.
 
September programs are as follows. For October and November programs, go to www.hclib.org and click on Events & Classes.
 
Crafty Minnesota: Cozy Stitches
For adults. Hand stitch a monogrammed cozy for your cell phone, iPad or e-reader using reverse appliqué and a few embroidery stitches. It’s practical and beautiful all-in-one, kind of like you! Materials provided. Find related books and more at the library.

• Northeast Library
Saturday, Sept. 8, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Registration required, begins Aug. 11. Register online or call 612-543-6775.

• Nokomis Library
Saturday, Sept. 8, 3–5 p.m.
Registration required, begins Aug. 11. Register online or call 612-543-6800.

Crafty Minnesota: Cozy Stitches
St. Louis Park Library
Thursday, Sept. 13, 7–9 p.m.
Registration required, begins Aug. 16. Register online or call 612-543-6125.

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Twenty “Work of Art” programs for adults will be presented this fall in collaboration with the nonprofit organization, Springboard for the Arts, whose mission is “to cultivate vibrant communities by connecting artists with the skills, information, and services they need to make a living and a life.”
 
The workshops will explore career planning, time management, resumes and portfolios, marketing, legal considerations, recordkeeping and financial management, simple business plans, pricing your work, funding your work, and social media for artists.

September programs are as follows. For October and November programs, go to www.hclib.org and click on Events & Classes.
 
Work of Art: Career Planning for Artists
Where do you want to be both artistically and professionally? This session concentrates on examining your career and developing a career plan. Learn how to define your goals, identify strategies for achieving your objectives and developing your career path. Find related books and more at the library.

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Monday, Sept. 10, 6:30–9 p.m.
Registration required, begins Aug. 13. Register online or call 612-543-8800.

• Sumner Library
Saturday, Sept. 15, 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Registration required, begins Aug. 18. Register online or call 612-543-6875.

Work of Art: Time Management for Creative People
Are you a right-brained person living in a left-brained world? Learn approaches for getting control of your day, creating work time and reaching your artistic goals. Find related books and more at the library.
 
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Monday, Sept. 17, 6:30–9 p.m.
Registration required, begins Aug. 20. Register online or call 612-543-8800.

• Sumner Library
Saturday, Sept. 22, 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Registration required, begins Aug. 25. Register online or call 612-543-6875.

Work of Art: Professional Presentation
What work samples should be in your portfolio? Also covered will be creating a targeted résumé and a catalog page to accompany your portfolio. Feel free to bring promotional materials along for review. Find related books and more at the library.
 
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Monday, Sept. 24, 6:30–9 p.m.
Registration required, begins Aug. 27. Register online or call 612-543-8800.

• Sumner Library
Saturday, Sept. 29, 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Registration required, begins Sept. 1. Register online or call 612-543-6875.

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Grade school children will create art from recycled or green materials at 23 “Paint It Green” workshops presented this fall by ArtStart, an award-winning nonprofit organization dedicated to “engaging artists, children, families, and communities in quality art education experiences.”
 
September programs are as follows. For October and November programs, go to www.hclib.org and click on Events & Classes.
 
Paint It Green: Buttons and Micarta Chip Magic
Franklin Library
Saturday, Sept. 15, 2–3 p.m.
Registration required, begins Aug. 18. Register online or call 612-543-6925.
K-grade 6. Give new life to recycled buttons from festivals and events, Micarta chips or countertop samples. Create a pin that expresses your inner self and a necklace ID tag with fun and funky materials to jazz up these discards. 

Paint It Green: Full Circle
K-grade 6. Turn your school locker or refrigerator into art! Use discarded CDs, bottle caps, magnet strips, fun photos, beads or other objects to create a magnetic expression of who you are. Materials provided.

• Westonka Library
Saturday, Sept. 15, 11 a.m.–noon
Registration required, begins Aug. 18. Register online or call 612-543-6175.

• Sumner Library
Saturday, Sept. 22, 2–3 p.m.
Registration required, begins Aug. 25. Register online or call 612-543-6875.

• Oxboro Library
Saturday, Sept. 29, 1–2 p.m.
Registration required, begins Sept. 1. Register online or call 612-543-5775.

Paint It Green: Animal Masks and Shakers
Pierre Bottineau Library
Saturday, Sept. 22, 11 a.m.–noon
Registration required, begins Aug. 25. Register online or call 612-543-6850.
K-grade 6. Pick your favorite region of the world and we will make masks and shakers that represent several of the animals indigenous to that region. Materials provided.

Paint It Green: Inventor's Workshop
Northeast Library
Friday, Sept. 28, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Registration required, begins Aug. 31. Register online or call 612-543-6775.
K-grade 6. Create your own invention from a variety of fun and unusual scraps. Assemble your invention using tape, glue and wire. Remember, it is about the idea! Materials provided, but you're welcome to bring your own.

Paint It Green: Rock Painting and Assemblages
Augsburg Park Library
Saturday, Sept. 29, 11 a.m.–noon
Registration required, begins Sept. 1. Register online or call 612-543-6200.
K-grade 6. Rocks come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, colors and textures. Glue your favorites together, paint them, or simply paint an image on their surface to create an object or animal. Materials provided.

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Artsy Smartsy, LLC, an art education provider that teaches classes for older adults with an emphasis on fun, creativity, a little art history, and professional, artist-grade materials, will teach 11 “Art for Life” classes for adults age 55 and older this fall.
 
September programs are as follows. For October and November programs, go to www.hclib.org and click on Events & Classes.

Art for Life: Fabric Wreaths
For adults 55+. Fall and winter wreaths are a nice addition to any home. Make your own from a huge variety of fabrics, colors, textures and ornaments that will suit any décor. Materials provided. Find related books and more at the library.
 
• Champlin Library
Wednesday, Sept. 19, 10:30 a.m. – noon
Registration required, begins Aug. 22. Register online or call 612-543-6250.
 
• East Lake Library
Wednesday, Sept. 26, 1:30–3 p.m.
Registration required, begins Aug. 29. Register online or call 612-543-8425.

Art for Life: Silk Scarf, Banner or Hoop Painting
Brooklyn Park Library
Wednesday, Sept. 19, 1:30–3 p.m.
Registration required, begins Aug. 22. Register online or call 612-543-6225.
For adults 55+. Learn a variety of methods for painting on silk. Experiment with a new tie-dye technique and batik-painting. Materials provided. Find related books and more at the library.

Art for Life: Découpage Glass Vases
Plymouth Library
Friday, Sept. 21, 10:30 a.m.–noon
Registration required, begins Aug. 24. Register online or call 612-543-5825.
For adults 55+. Sometimes called “paper stained glass,” this technique uses papers, glaze and a variety of beautiful glass vases to create a piece of art that will match your décor and personality. Materials provided. Find related books and more at the library.

Art for Life: Concrete Mosaic Trivets
Sumner Library
Friday, Sept. 21, 1:30–3 p.m.
Registration required, begins Aug. 24. Register online or call 612-543-6875.
For adults 55+. Create a variety of stunning trivets for your home using concrete, beads, tiles, glass, paint and more. Materials provided. Find related books and more at the library.

Art for Life: Pop Art Acrylic Painting
Nokomis Library
Wednesday, Sept. 26, 10:30 a.m.–noon
Registration required, begins Aug. 29. Register online or call 612-543-6800.
For adults 55+. Learn about Andy Warhol, pop art, and the color wheel by painting an acrylic masterpiece. Materials provided. Find related books and more at the library.

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“Artitude: Comics and Manga,” a six-part workshop designed to teach teens in grades 7-12 how to refine their drawing skills, will be presented by staff from Articulture, a nonprofit that teaches interactive classes and workshops to increase accessibility to the arts.
 
Artitude: Comics and Manga
Southdale Library
Tuesdays, Oct. 9–Nov. 13, 4–6 p.m.
Registration required, begins Sept. 11. Register online or call 612-543-5900.
Grades 7-12. Refine your skills beyond those drawings done in the margins of your math and science papers. You will learn how professionals produce awesome comic books and animations, and create dynamic characters, believable environments and captivating story lines in this six-part workshop.