I’m sure this will come as a shock to no one when I admit that I, Emily Wesenick, museum educator, was a “library kid”. My summers were filled with distinct memories of roaming through stacks of books, checking out as many as I could, and attending all the local library’s programming. I was there so often that when I could start looking for volunteer jobs in the summer, Marathon County Public Library was the first place I thought of.
It should then come as no surprise that now one of my favorite outreach locations for Museum programming is the T.B. Scott Free Library in Merrill. Once a month, from 10:30 – 11:30am, I become a storyteller, as well as an arts educator, inspiring children of all ages with picture books and hands-on art making activities. Last month, we focused on our avian friends while creating projects inspired by Birds in Art artists. The library was filled with smiles, curiosity, and feathers—lots and lots of feathers!
Adults and children joined Start With Art, a hands-on making program at T.B. Scott Free Library in Merrill, Wisconsin.
While I love storytelling opportunities, volunteer coordinator and assistant educator, Andy Jacksack, and I explored a new space for our outreach adventures last Friday. We joined the Center for the Visual Arts (CVA) at Monk Botanical Gardens and made art inspired by the light displays decorating the garden paths. It wasn’t a cozy library corner, but it was the perfect fall day for creating paper lanterns, complete with glow sticks that helped light the way. Once again, our art making space was filled with laughter and curiosity as roughly 100 families collaborated on the artwork they were making, celebrating the experience of being able to create together.
Community members of all ages created paper lanterns while enjoying to light show during Blossom of Lights at Monk Botanical Gardens.
Each outreach experience we take part in is special in its own right, especially when we get to share our love of the community gathering spaces that surround us. Whether filled with stories, a crisp fall breeze, or an abundance of feathers, being able to share the magic of art making with everyone—no matter their age or background—is a gift we will continue to bring to the community for many years to come.
