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Arlington Public Library

art news

Yorktown Artist of the Month: Emily Villatoro

“Inner Life” – Acrylic Paint on Paper

On exhibit at the Westover Branch Library, November 2015.

Emily V

Emily’s Artist Statement:

My painting expresses the value of self-reflection and conveys what we might actually see when we look in the mirror. We are all so much more than just our appearance. Some people hate what they see, some love what they see and some just don’t see anything at all. My portrait shows that what we see on the outside is not what is within.

 

The Yorktown High School’s Artist of the Month competition is held throughout the school year. Student’s taking an art class at Yorktown are encouraged to enter, and their work is judged by a rotating committee of teachers, students, parents and guest judges. The winning artists then have their artwork displayed in the school library, the Westover Branch Library, and the Westover Wells Fargo Bank for a month in each location. They also receive a $15 gift certificate from Deli Italiano! 

 

Civil War Artifacts from the Arlington Historical Society

Our History on Display

On Exhibit at the Aurora Hills Branch Library, July – August 2015

Like most museums, the Arlington Historical Museum (located in the Hume School) has more artifacts than can be displayed at any one time.

So the Arlington Historical Society recently launched an effort to locate display areas in public spaces around the County in order to bring the history of Arlington to more people.

Arlington Historical Society exhibit at AH

The Aurora Hills Branch Library’s exhibit includes maps, photos and artifacts from the ring of Civil War forts – most of which would have been within firing distance of this library: 

 

The Historical Society currently has two other exhibits in the community:

  • The Center for Local History at Central Library – Artifacts from the Ball-Sellers House, the oldest building in the county, a farm house built around 1750.
  • Arlington Village Community Center – Toys and pictures reflecting the childhood memories of the early residents, in honor of the 75th anniversary of the apartments.

 

Postcard Display Celebrates America's Libraries

Souvenirs from the Early 20th Century

On exhibit at Central Library, April 2015.

Historic library postcards

Don’t miss this month’s historic postcard display at Central in honor of National Library Week.

It includes images of dozens of beautiful library buildings, many of them Carnegie Libraries, which were built between 1890 and 1920.

 

The postcards are part of a collection that belongs to Library Director Diane Kresh.

 

 

Alex Braden: Sound Installation

Piece and Quiet

Arlington County Spotlight Artist Grant, to be installed on Saturdays at the following locations:

  • Nov. 22 – Westover Branch Library
  • Nov. 29 – Cherrydale Branch Library
  • Dec. 6 – Central Library
  • Dec. 13 – Shirlington Branch Library
Axon Xylophone Bridge, a previous sound piece created by Braden and collaborators at Artisphere.

Fermata, a piece at Artisphere on which Braden was one of several collaborators.

True quiet is a near impossible experience.

Even in anechoic chambers—soundproofed spaces designed to eliminate echoes—the sound of breathing or a heartbeat can seem louder than a passing freight train. And when we try to create a silent haven (such as at a library), we start noticing softer sounds that we might not have otherwise heard.

The sounds you will hear in Alexander Braden’s sound installation “Piece and Quiet” were recorded around Arlington County over a period of a few days in September, 2014. They are woven together into a subtle composition that will play quietly on loop, broadcast over eight speakers, each playing a unique part of the soundscape.

With “Piece and Quiet,” Braden invites you to enter the Library, listen, and discover.

 

Learn more about Public Art in Arlington County.

 

Treasures from the Vault

Arlington History Through Objects and Ephemera

On exhibit at Central Library, October 2014

In observance of National Archives Month, the Center for Local History has created “Treasures from the Vault,” an exhibit of artifacts showcasing Arlington’s history and culture through the years.

Treasures from the vault

Learn more about important Arlington residents, politics, businesses, neighborhoods, the arts, and much more. 

The exhibit includes historical photographs, posters, puzzles, political ephemera, and even an old gas mask from the fire department!

 

The Center for Local History collections are always growing, and many of them are made possible by generous donations from local organizations and members of our community.

If you have old photographs, postcards, or any other materials you think we should add to our collections, please contact us. Help us collect, preserve, and share our community’s history.

 

The exhibit is open to the public and free of charge during regular library hours.

 

Apollo to the Moon at Aurora Hills

To celebrate the 45th anniversary of Apollo 11’s moon landing, the Aurora Hills Branch Library is showing an exhibit of Apollo-related documents.  

Mr. Burt's Moon Landing collection

 

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The notes, charts, books and newspapers are from the personal collection of engineer and longtime Arlington resident Al Burt, who worked on the Apollo 7 through 13 lunar missions.

Mr. Burt worked for the Apollo Systems Division of General Electric Corporation, a contractor for NASA, from 1968 to 1970.

 

 

 

Discover a Writer's Tools

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword…

But there are so many pens to choose from!

writing pen nibs

Visit Aurora Hills Branch Library to see an exhibit of beautiful fountain pens and writing implements from the 20th century.

The collection, on loan to us from Claire Rubin of Arlington, includes a child’s pencil box circa 1900, and various materials for fountain pens and writing.

To learn more, check out our book display on calligraphy and writing!

 

1,000 Cranes Project at Westover

Youth Arts and Pacific American Heritage Come Together

On exhibit at the Westover Branch Library, March – May 2014

Origami for the Whole Family: Wednesday, May 7, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. If you can’t attend the program, drop by our Origami station throughout the month of May where you’ll find materials and instructions for making a crane to donate to Westover’s chain.

McKinley cranes at Shirlington

In celebration of Youth Arts Month in March, students at McKinley Elementary School created artwork with art teachers, Jillian Bonahoom and Michele Mautawalli to be displayed at Westover.

The 1,000 Cranes Project is a school wide project that connected McKinley students across grade levels. Many families and parents helped by folding, stringing, and collecting the cranes, which will be sent to The Children Peace Monument at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Japan.

You can contribute by joining us for Origami for the Whole Family on May 7, or drop by our Origami station throughout the month of May where you’ll find materials and instructions for making a crane to donate to Westover’s chain.

 

Please join us Wednesday, March 19, from 4-5 p.m., for a reception to meet the students, teachers and parents, and to learn more about their 1,000 Cranes Project.

 

Learn more about Art Exhibits at the Library.

 

 

 

On Exhibit: The Rich Colors of Cultures

Celebrate Black History Month with Great Art

We are excited to bring you the work of two excellent local artists: 

Painter Cheryl Edwards presents pieces from her ongoing series “Play,” which explores forms, color and shape based on Ndbele Dolls.

Cheryl Edwards paintings

 

Textile artist Imani Russell uses recycled materials to create her dolls, which are influenced by Gullah culture of the American south Atlantic coast.

Imani Russell

Imani Russell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both artists are on exhibt at the Central Library for February 2014.

Learn more about Art Exhibits at the Library.

 

Join Us In Celebrating Day of the Dead

Have You Lost Someone You Loved?

Our Day of the Dead: Recycled Art exhibit at Central Library now includes a place to honor your friends and relative who have passed away.

You are invited to add you own small photo or memento to the altar:

Day of the Dead Altar

The Day of of the Dead is celebrated throughout Mexico and many other cultures on All Saints Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2), as a time to celebrate and honor the lives of our departed friends and relatives.

The Library’s traditional Day of the Dead alter is on the 2nd floor at Central Library, and will remain up (for a longer-than-traditional time) until Nov. 30.

 

Learn more about Art Exhibits at the Library.

 

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