graffiti 07 hot sun

Heat and humidity didn't prevent 28 painters participating in the Teen Graffiti Contest this year! The exhibit of all prints will be on display at the Downtown Library beginning July 27th and running through August 31st. An interesting array of styles and subjects, with everything from planets, landscapes, and free form, to a 'heart of pi'. Thanks to Curtis Sullivan, from the Vault of Midnight for judging this year!

1st Place - Andy Wu - title: Eclipse
2nd Place - Mina & Nika Hirzel - title: Snowstorm Zilla
3rd Place - Jacob Saalberg - title: Street Battle (Unseen)
Honorable Mention - Lillian Xie - title: Heart
Honorable Mention - Patrick Wan - title: 'PAT'

chess

Now's the time to learn some new strategies to improve your chess game. Join expert Jennifer Skidmore at the Traverwood branch on Wednesday, July 28, from 7:30 - 9 PM. She'll be demonstrating tips and then you'll have an opportunity to try out what you've learned with the other participants.

Dolph Nature Area

Join Natural Area Preservation staff for a free hike through Dolph Nature Area. This is the only nature area to have naturally formed lakes, First and Second Sister Lakes. A staff naturalist will point out wildflowers, trees, and shrubs and talk about ecological restoration, as well as volunteer activities in Ann Arbor Parks, recreation opportunities, and responsible use of public lands. Plenty of time will be available for questions. Meet in the main lot off Wagner Road between Jackson Road and Liberty Street.

Dolph Nature Area Hike | Thursday, July 29 | 7:00-8:30 PM | All Ages

graffiti 07 hot sun

Celebrate Art Fair and paint a masterpiece at the Downtown Library staff parking lot from 11 AM to 1 PM on Friday, July 23. We'll provide the paint, supplies, canvases and easels. Your canvases are 3 feet X 3 feet in size. Check out the art work from previous years. Three winners will receive gift certificates for art supplies from Michigan Book and Supply. Look here for techniques for creating your painting. Curtis Sullivan, the owner of Ann Arbor's Vault of Midnight will be judging this year. This contest is for grades 6-12.

blue jean

We'll have the jean pockets, ribbons and beads for you to create a masterpiece purse. Join in the 'Make It Happen' summer theme and create something crafty. If your handiwork leaves you inspired, later you may branch out and try something else along the lines of jazzy jeans. See you there at Pittsfield, Wednesday, July 14, from 2 - 3:30 pm. Grades 6-12.

For townies summertime is often the best time in Ann Arbor! Enter to win our special photo contest with images of your favorite things that "Make It Happen" for you in Ann Arbor during the summer. Kids, teens and adults are invited to enter our contest. See the complete rules and guidelines here. Photos will be displayed in the Downtown Library lower-level in the glass display cases. The award ceremony and reception are on Wednesday, July 28 from 7:00-8:00 PM. Winners will receive gift cards to Target.jump roping silouhette

paper beads

First make beautiful paper beads from our supplies, then create cool jewelry out of the beads you made. Join us at the Traverwood Branch as we show you how to Make Jewelry from Paper Beads.

Get inspired with the Paper Jewelry Book or try Paper Gifts and Jewelry. A great way to 'Make It Happen' this summer at your library. It's happening at Traverwood July 7, from 2-3:30, for grades 6-12.

After having to cancel this event this past weekend due to a tornado warning we're happy to announce it's been re-scheduled! Mark your calendars for Sunday, August 22, 2:00-3:30 PM at the Pittsfield Branch. Fans of TV shows like Ace of Cakes and Food Network should join us for an afternoon of learning and cake tasting with Ann Arbor cake artist Heather Anne Leavitt. Heather trained in sculpture at the U and her cakes show it. Heather has assisted on a some challenges on the Food Nework!

Learn about the magic of fondant and how those gravity defying cakes actually stand up. This event is free of charge of requires no registration.

heathercake

Soup ZIne

Zines are small, self-published booklets which are usually printed with a photocopier or home printer. They include comics, poetry, travel essays, how to’s – anything you want to express – and can even be used in the classroom to jazz up writing assignments. Though zines are generally low tech you can use the web to learn more about them at sites like We Make Zines: a place for zinesters, writers, and readers.

Zine enthusiast and creator Brian Steinberg will talk about making a diary comic zine, give a hands-on demo and bring his zine library to review. There will be time to create your own zine with the materials we provide.

What Do You Mean, What’s a Zine? | Sunday, June 27 | 1-2:30 PM | MC | Grade 6-Adult

Jerzy Drozd

Did you devour comics as a kid? Ever thought of creating your own comics or graphic work? Here’s a free chance to broaden your creative skills!

In this intense six-week series, cartoonist Jerzy Drozd invites adults and older teens to explore of some of the illustration and storytelling strategies used by professional cartoonists to create graphic novels, manga, and comic books. You'll learn how to choose the right moments in your story, how comics take advantage of the rules of art as well as literature, and how the illustration style you choose contributes to the tone of your work.

Can’t draw? No worries. If you can draw a stick figure you can create a great comics story.

Whatever story you want to create, this workshop will provide you with the tools you need to make your story a reality. We'll provide the pencils, erasers, paper, rulers, etc. Registration is required and can be done online, in person at any location, or by calling 327-8301.

Comics Fundamentals | Wednesdays July 7, 14, 21, 28 and August 4, 11 | 6-8 p.m. | Pittsfield Branch