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! 

 

Trail Tales: Water Rolls, Water Rises

Installed September 2015 – March 2016

 

book jacket: "water rolls, water rises"Water Rolls, Water Rises / El Agua Rueda, el Agua Sube
by Pat Mora, illustrations by Meilo So, translation by Adriana Domínguez & Pat Mora

In an expressive celebration of the world’s waterscapes, verse and mixed-media illustrations swing from placid to tempestuous, creating an effective and fitting ebb and flow. A description of a peaceful river scene inspired by the Yangtze (“Slow into rivers/ water slithers and snakes/ through silent canyons at twilight and dawn”) contrasts with an evocation of a violent Patagonia sea (“In storms, water plunges/ in thunder’s brash roar,/ races through branches from lightning’s white flash”).

The palette also shifts to suit the vista: children in Finland play by a brook framed by brilliant fall foliage, while smoky grays dominate a hushed scene featuring the human and feline residents of Venice, enshrouded in fog. Some of the images and allusions suggest water’s life-sustaining power: men fish in India, Kenyan women fetch water from a well, and in the canals of Holland, “water streams, water slides,/ gliding up roots of tulips and corn.”

 

“Water Rolls, Water Rises / El agua rueda, el agua sube” Text copyright © 2014 by Pat Mora. Illustrations copyright © 2014 by Meilo So.

Spanish translation copyright © 2014 by Lee & Low Books Inc. Permission arranged with LEE & LOW BOOKS INC., New York, NY 10016

trail tales logo

 

The Trail Tales’ squirrel logo was designed by Arlington student Annabella.

 

 

 

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.

 

Trail Tales: Have You Heard the Nesting Bird?

Installed April – September 2015

 

Have You Heard the Nesting Bird?
by Rita Gray, illustrated by Kenard Pak

As a boy and a girl walk in fields near their house, they see many birds and hear their distinctive calls. But a quiet bird captures the children’s attention. Sitting in her nest in a tree, the robin is alert but silent. The next morning, the duo hears sounds from the nest, beginning with “tapping cracking” and ending with “breaking shaking.” Three baby birds join the robin and her mate in the nest.

 

 

 

 

“Have You Heard the Nesting Bird?” is used with permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Text copyright © 2014 by Rita Grey. Illustrations copyright © 2014 by Kenard Pak. All rights reserved.

trail tales logoThe Trail Tales’ squirrel logo was designed by Arlington student Annabella.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

Trail Tales: Over and Under the Snow

Installed January – March 2015

 

Over and Under the Snow
by Kate Messner

Over the snow, the world is hushed and white, but under the snow is a secret world of squirrels and snowshoe hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many others who live outside in the woods during the winter.

 

 

 

 

For this installment, kids from three of the Department of Parks and Recreation’s After School Centers visually reimagined the illustration of Messner’s book, using collage, block prints and watercolor:

 

Learn more about Trail Tales at Long Branch Nature Center.

 

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.

 

Trail Tales: Spiders

Installed October – December 2014

 

Spiders
by Siân Smith

From the “Creepy Critters” series, the text and illustrations explore how to watch spiders, what they eat, how they grow and stay safe, and more interesting facts.

 

 

“Spiders” is used with permission from (and gratitude to) Raintree, an imprint of Capstone Global Library and Coughlan Companies Community Fund. Trail Tales’ squirrel logo designed by student Annabella.

 

Learn more about Trail Tales at Long Branch Nature Center.

 

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.

 

Trail Tales: Beetles

Installed August – September 2014

 

Beetles
by Rebecca Rissman

From the “Creepy Critters” series,  the text and illustrations explore how to find and watch beetles, what they eat, how they grow and stay safe, and more interesting facts.

 

 

 

“Beetles” is used with permission from (and gratitude to) Raintree, an imprint of Capstone Global Library and Coughlan Companies Community Fund. Trail Tales’ squirrel logo designed by student Annabella.

 

 

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