{"id":21426,"date":"2019-07-20T12:01:14","date_gmt":"2019-07-20T16:01:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/?p=21426"},"modified":"2019-07-22T16:12:42","modified_gmt":"2019-07-22T20:12:42","slug":"getting-the-picture-an-artistic-community-partnership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2019\/07\/getting-the-picture-an-artistic-community-partnership\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting the Picture: An Artistic Community Partnership"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a librarian who doesn\u2019t work in a traditional library setting, I am always on the lookout for novel ways to bring books to unexpected places. Thanks to an all-hands-on-deck operation, we recently welcomed hundreds of children and families to connect with a children\u2019s literacy-based art exhibition at a community hub that inspired many young readers to craft stories of their own. Here\u2019s a look at who partnered in the effort, and some ideas about how you might seek these opportunities in your own community.<\/p>\n

First, it helps to have a sense of the place.\u00a0 The Town Hall Education Arts and Recreation Campus (<\/span>THEARC<\/span><\/a>) brings together more than a dozen non-profit partners that offer social and cultural programs to children and families living east of the Anacostia River in Washington, DC.\u00a0 Within its three buildings — which sit on almost 17 acres that include a farm and playground — kids can learn to dance, play an instrument, visit a medical clinic, and even go to school.\u00a0 Grown-ups can take classes, too, learn culinary skills, and enjoy performances in one of two professional theaters. In short, THEARC is an innovative community anchor, a true third space.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Flyer created to publicize the exhibition.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Next, there\u2019s the exhibit in question.\u00a0 In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Coretta Scott King Book Awards, the National Center for Children\u2019s Illustrated Literature (<\/span>NCCIL<\/span><\/a>) curated the largest ever collection of original CSK award-winning artwork.\u00a0 The touring exhibition, titled OUR VOICE: CELEBRATING THE CORETTA SCOTT KING ILLUSTRATOR AWARDS, includes pieces by literary luminaries like Ashley Bryan, Jerry Pinkney, Pat Cummings, and John Steptoe.\u00a0 NCCIL Curator Debbie Lillick also had the foresight to acquire copies of each of the CSK-winning book titles whose artwork was featured in the exhibit — a librarian\u2019s dream pairing! OUR VOICE had a window of availability that overlapped with the American Library Association\u2019s Annual Conference, also in Washington, DC, and this perfect storm of timing and opportunity meant the show would be available to not only THEARC\u2019s community but also to librarians visiting from around the country.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally came the literacy collaboration.\u00a0 Eight of the resident partners agreed to host almost 75 pieces of artwork, divvying up the treasures by theme and interest.\u00a0 Christopher Myers\u2019s <\/span>Firebird<\/span><\/i> went to the Washington School for Ballet, for example, while Levine School of Music hosted an oil on illustration board spread by Frank Morrison from <\/span>Little Melba and Her Big Trombone<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0 Artwork was hung and mounted, and the corresponding picture books set out for reading nearby.\u00a0 Welcome desk staff from THEARC escorted visitors through the partner spaces, connecting the artwork to the community programming offered at the campus.<\/span><\/p>\n

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CROWN<\/em> at THEARC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Books were available for reading alongside the artwork, like Gordon C. James\u2019s <\/span>Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut<\/span><\/i>, displayed within the ArtReach Gallery, at left.\u00a0 Images were accompanied by an informational placard about the artistic medium, while QR codes as with John Steptoe\u2019s <\/span>Mufaro\u2019s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale<\/span><\/i>, below, linked visitors to audio transcripts about each book from TeachingBooks.Net<\/a>.\u00a0 Both photos by this author.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Image of\u00a0Mufaro\u2019s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale\u00a0<\/em>with QR code<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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The resident partners also include two museums that offer art programming at THEARC — the GW\u2019s <\/span>ArtReach<\/span><\/a> and The Phillips Collection\u2019s <\/span>Phillips@THEARC<\/span><\/a> — and, serendipitously, one of the pieces in the exhibition enjoys a long and storied connection at The Phillips: Bryan Collier\u2019s <\/span>Uptown<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0 Art museum educator Donna Jont\u00e9 shares:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Since it was published in 2000, we\u2019ve read <\/span>Uptown<\/span><\/i> to elementary school students in the galleries and in the studio, connecting it to the Great Migration and the art of the city. We\u2019ve integrated it with poetry, math, history, music, and visual art. We hold it up as an exemplar of compelling content, poetic text, stunning collage, and artful book design.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When the OUR VOICE exhibition arrived at Phillips@THEARC<\/span> and we saw the original collage from <\/span>Uptown, <\/span><\/i>we were awe-struck first, then delighted: the exhibition coincided with a workshop series devoted to preserving family history through art.\u00a0 Layered with Jacob Lawrence\u2019s <\/span>Migration Series,<\/span><\/i> Uptown <\/span><\/i>gave us the foundation for the workshop\u2014a journey and a celebration of family\u2014and the inspiration for the artwork\u2014mixed-media collage.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Phillips educator Avis Brock arranged for each participating family to receive a copy of <\/span>Uptown<\/span><\/i> to keep, and collages created during the workshop series are on display in the Living Room Gallery at Phillips@THEARC through the end of August.<\/span><\/p>\n

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ArtReach GW display<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In addition to the books from which its featured artwork was drawn, ArtReach offered visitors information about both the Coretta Scott King Book Award and additional art programs available to the community.\u00a0 Photo by this author, with thanks to Aselin Lands, Director of ArtReach GW and The Community Gallery at THEARC.<\/span><\/p>\n

Art, books, and an incredible space in which to share them — this unusual literary partnership succeeded thanks to the innovative efforts of many.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

How can you arrange similar programs in your community?\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n