This year’s Summer Reading Program theme is “Adventure Begins at Your Library.” If you’re looking for a new adventure to begin this summer, start at Ignite with one of our exciting workshops or classes! Registration for classes begins two weeks in advance. Visit our event calendar to sign up.
Art Adventure Trail
Daily all June and July
Adventure begins at your library! Pick up a map and small notebook in Ignite and walk along the art adventure trail in the lower level of the library. Participate in engaging activities at seven stations along your route. Make observations in the main foyer, assemble a sculpture using stackable pieces, create a paper house with fluorescent paper, draw a portrait on a clear plexiglass divider, invent your own names for a swatch of colors, listen to a musical composition and guess the sounds, and participate in the latest drop-in!
When you’ve completed the trail, show us your notebook and pick up a piece of Ignite swag!
Adventures in Painting with teaching artist Angelita Hampton
Saturday, June 8 – 11:00 AM
Saturday, June 8 – 2:00 PM
Experiment with acrylic and watercolor printmaking, “no brush” painting techniques, and collage painting. Explore new ways to use traditional mediums and create one-of-a-kind artworks. Let the artist inside you come out to explore and discover the joy of art! Ages 10+
Virtual Field Trip to Joshua Tree National Park
Wednesday, June 19 – 11:00 AM
Wednesday, July 10 – 11:00 AM
A Joshua Tree National Park Ranger will virtually lead a drawing activity of the Mojave Desert. Focusing on plant and animal adaptations, participants will sketch with colored pencils and other mark-making materials. Ages 8-12
Sewing for Kids: Adventures in Monster Making
Tuesday, June 11 – 11:00 AM
Thursday, July 18 – 6:00 PM
Start your sewing adventures in this hands-on class for beginners. Learn the basics of threading and operating a sewing machine as you design and create your own monster. Supplies and sewing machine provided. Ages 8-12
Five Senses and Photography with teaching artist Kate Vasey
Saturday, July 20 – 11:00 AM
Saturday, July 20 – 2:00 PM
Photography can be a means of remembering and revisiting time spent in nature. During this class at Ritchey Woods, slow down and explore nature through the five senses, capturing this experience with a phone or regular camera. Ages 12+. This class is OFF SITE at Ritchey Woods.
Printmaking on the Go: Kitchen Litho
Monday, June 10 – 12:00 PM
Wednesday, July 24 – 4:00 PM
Learn how to use common household items to make prints of your drawings! Also known as “aluminum foil lithography,” this class will walk through the process of using kitchen materials like foil, soda, and vegetable oil to make lithograph prints. Lithography is a printmaking method typically involving stone slabs and heavy presses. We will simplify it so you can make prints when traveling on your adventures. Learn all about this viral printmaking technique and take home some prints of your own! Ages 16+
Art Supply Swap
Tuesday, June 18 – 12:00 – 2:00 PM
Do you have unused or unloved art supplies in need of a better home? Or are you an artist in need of art supplies? Bring your gently used art supplies to Ignite and participate in the Art Supply Swap! This is a drop-in event to swap supplies, pick up something new and exciting to try, or just chat with your fellow artists to exchange ideas as well as materials. Have an adventure by trying something new. Take what you need, donate what you can. All ages. No registration required – just drop in! Donations are also accepted ahead of time.
Ongoing Drop-in Activities
Drop-ins include Felt Flower Community Mural in June or Abstract Art Community Mural in July. You could also begin an adventure by stopping in to check out a kit from our kit library or take a class with our summer Maker-in-Residence Christina Hollering. Check out our event calendar for a full list of classes, workshops, and events.
Don’t forget to log your activities for badges on the Beanstack app.
Happy Summer Reading!