AADL talks to Bruce Worden

Thu, 12/15/2011 - 11:21am by sherlonya

A self-described Beatlemaniac, chocolate snob, bike commuter with big ideas, Bruce Worden takes some time to talk to AADL about Goodnight Keith Moon, his parody (with Clare Cross) of Goodnight Moon, his process, and a few other projects he's working on.

A Winner Among Us

Tue, 10/25/2011 - 1:14pm by muffy

Of the 1,582 entries at this year's ARTPRIZE (see blog), 10 winners were voted in and among them is Ann Arbor artist Lynda Cole.

Taking 3rd place, her 3-D kinetic sculpture entitled Rain consists of 7600 squares of silver leaf on polyester film, and is suspended by aluminum monofilament within a 10 ft. cube of space and move with ambient air currents.

This photo at left represents one module. The Art Prize entry comprised of 25 modules. To see all of them, go to the artist's website or blog.

As our commitment to showcase and support local artists, The Ann Arbor District Library is proud to include two of Lynda Cole's work in our circulating art print collection , entitled Winter and Explore. Now you too, could live with great art.

Author David Petersen Discusses His Award Winning Mouse Guard Books

Wed, 10/19/2011 - 1:50pm by K.C.

Saturday, October 22 -- Noon-1:00 PM -- Downtown – Multipurpose Room -- Grades 6-Adult

Author and artist David Petersen will share how he created the comic series "Mouse Guard."

Learn how the original vision of what Petersen called "1149," a tale that was closer to Disney's Robin Hood, reshaped itself into "Mouse Guard." This medieval tale of mice in the natural world surviving the real dangers of daily life, thanks to the brave assistance of the noble brotherhood known as the Mouse Guard, has quickly become a classic series in comics.

After the presentation, David will answer questions and sign books, for sale at the event courtesy of The Vault of Midnight.

David Petersen's collected edition Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 and Mouse Guard: Winter 1152 were both awarded the prestigious Eisner Award in 2008. Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 is also listed on the Young Adult Library Services Association's 2008 Great Graphic Novels for Teens. His anthology Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard Vol. 1 won the Gem Award for Best 2010 Anthology and earned a 2011 Eisner in the same category.

The Princess Curse: Author will discuss fairy tale/myth

Fri, 09/16/2011 - 7:54pm by annevm

A debut tween novel, The Princess Curse will be discussed by the author Oct. 4 from 4-5:30pm in the Gallery of U-M Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library. The author is the library's own Merrie Haskell Fuller. In her fairy tale/myth, twelve princesses suffer from a curse -- and whoever breaks it will win a reward. Reveka sees the money could bring her a master herbalist position, so she goes for it. On her quest she meets a shadowy stranger, finds a blighted land in need of healing, and must decide whether to break the curse at the peril of her soul. On Oct. 4, the author will discuss the book and the process of getting published.

826MI Robot Workshop CANCELED this Saturday! Rescheduled for Saturday August 27.

Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:30pm by erin

Due to circumstances beyond our control the upcoming 826MI Robot Workshop for this Saturday, August 6 from 1:00-4:00 PM at the Downtown Library has been canceled. This event has been re-scheduled for Saturday, August 27 from 1:00-4:00 PM at the Downtown Library in the 4th Floor Meeting Room. This event is for kids in grades 4 & up and Teens in grades 6-12.

AADL Talks To Local Author Karen Simpson

Thu, 07/14/2011 - 2:33pm by sherlonya

Back in 1996, Karen Simpson learned of a Klan rally that had taken place in her home town. During the course of the event, when violence threatened a white man wearing a confederate t-shirt, a young African-American woman protected him by placing herself between the man and the mob. This story haunted Karen and inspired her to write her debut novel Act of Grace. Here, Karen shares with us her process, her influences and what it’s like being a published author after spending ten years working on a novel.

University of Michigan Press EBooks Now Available Through AADL

Wed, 07/06/2011 - 3:12pm by Debbie G.

AADL has a new database of academic Ebooks from a publisher just down the street: the University of Michigan Press. Access the collection from our A-Z Database page or our Local Creators page. Browse or search over 500 titles published by the University of Michigan Press right in your browser.

The University of Michigan Press produces educational texts for student audiences, with special emphasis on English language teaching and political, social, and cultural issues. UM Press also produces regional books on fiction and the arts, human history, natural history, and the changing environment of Michigan and the Great Lakes.

Create & Draw Anthropomorphic Characters with Jannie Ho

Wed, 07/06/2011 - 10:14am by K.C.

Saturday, July 16 | 1:00-2:30 PM | Downtown Multipurpose Room | Grade 6-Adult

Learn the basic techniques for creating unique characters – from anthropomorphic animals to inanimate objects brought to life – with Jannie Ho, children’s illustrator and cartoonist. Drawing materials are provided.

To get a taste of the possibilities when using anthropomorphic characters read Jannie’s If You Lived Here which has toured the country as part of the 2011 Sketchbook Project. It provides a window into Ann Arbor through a newcomer’s eyes and shows that you can create wonderful stories using animals in place of human characters.

Create & Draw Cartoony Characters

Wed, 06/29/2011 - 3:51pm by K.C.

Saturday, July 9 | 1:00-3:00 PM | Pittsfield | Grades 6-Adult

Join Ann Arbor cartoonist Denver Brubaker and creator of Tales of a Checkered Man. He’ll share techniques for creating cartoony characters - how to brainstorm, design, and polish your ideas in a fun, hands-on workshop.

We’ll have all the drawing supplies you need so just come and see what kind of cartoony characters you can conjure up.

Comics Fundamentals: A six-week series starts July 6

Tue, 06/28/2011 - 10:35am by K.C.

Wednesdays, July 6 thru August 10 | 6:00-8:00 PM | Pittsfield | Grades 9-Adult

Join cartoonist Jerzy Drozd as he helps you explore illustration and storytelling strategies used by professional cartoonists to create graphic novels, manga, and comic books. Learn how to choose the right moments in your story, how comics take advantage of the rules of art and literature and how the illustration style you choose contributes to the tone of your work.

Basic supplies (pencils, erasers, paper, etc.) are provided along with a weekly gamecode to add to your summer game totals. No registration required.

Miss the first session? No problem. Jerzy has designed each session so you can quickly catch on.