Notes from an Intern: Tolly Time at the Cook Library Center

The kids at the library were VERY excited last Wednesday, when Lori Wilson came in to read a story for Tolly Time!
The kids chanted along as she read Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Afterward they used
invisible pen and colored paper to create letters and pictures for people THEY knew who had had bad days recently.
Then each child chose a book from the book table to take home as their very own. Miranda chose Rapunzel, while Isayra,
our animal lover, choose a colorful book about birds. Jesus proudly carried around his Mister Rabbit's Wish book.
What a lovely afternoon!

-Ande Mustine is a senior at Calvin College majoring in English. She is interning at the Cook Arts Center and
Cook Library Center this winter and spring.

Library Brightened by Artist Donation

The Cook Library Center is a proud recipient of a very generous painting donation by artist Erick Pichardo. The painting, which was created in the abstract mixed media format that defines Erick's recent working style, is a perfect fit for our library. The piece is titled, "The Colors of the Land/Los Colores de la Tierra" and like the majority of Erick's recent paintings makes a powerful statement about place and human life. This particular pieces includes objects, colors and forms which initially capture the viewer's eye and speaks to the importance of living life in the moment. Erick has been a long-time contributor, collaborator and creator within our community and believes in the possibility of building a better, stronger community when everyone lends a hand. We thank Erick for his generous contribution and for making our library community a more beautiful place through his artwork.

Notes From an Intern: Dream Birds

This Wednesday at the Cook Arts Center's weekly after school art studio class, the students explored Black History Month through a poem written by the eloquent Langston Hughes. The poem titled “Dreams” served as a platform for the students to discuss their own dreams, and then express that through designs and words and pictures on their own “dream birds”. Chloe, age 10, drew pictures of a paintbrush and talked about how much she wanted to be an art teacher. Larry, age 11, used NBA and WWI (World Wrestling Inc.) colors in his designs, playfully talking about how cool it would be to play basketball or wrestle professionally. Each child had unique and exciting dreams, and created beautiful paper birds while expressing them!

-Ande Mustine is a senior at Calvin College majoring in English. She is interning at the Cook Arts Center and Cook Library Center this winter and spring.

Intersession Fun at GRPS Schools

We had a great time this week working with about 100 students at Grand Rapids Montessori and Campus Elementary this week. Cook Arts Center contract artists Kimberly VandenBerg and Josh Dunigan taught several art and music classes to children in grades K through 8th who were participating in the YMCA's Intersession week at their school. Both Campus and Grand Rapids Montessori are alternative calendar schools which run year-long, but have Intersession breaks throughout the year. We were happy to have the opportunity to work with such great students. Check out some of these photos of their work and the fun that was had by all!

Cats, Cats, Everywhere!

Every Thursday volunteer extraordinaire Cat Timermanis comes to the Cook Library Center to lead arts and craft activities with the students. Last week, "Ms. Cat", as the students lovingly call her, taught the group how to draw cats. Here are some shots of the students holding up their creations. Library Director Sue Garza looks forward to Ms. Cat's weekly visits because they are always sure to be a treat!

Fun with Clay at the Cook Arts Center!

Check out these fun projects made by the Tuesday afternoon pottery class at the Cook Arts Center.  Under the
direction of Pottery Studio Manager Madeline Kaczmarczyk, each student made a slab vase in terra cotta clay
which they then covered in white slip. Then they "drew" through the slip with a pin tool. After a second firing they  
painted the vases with colored and clear coats of glaze.

After School Arts Studio Gets Painting

Every Wednesday afternoon at the Cook Arts Center 17 children ages 5 to 10 have been participating in a weekly After School Art Studio class. Each week has had the children working with a new medium including clay and paper mache. This week the kids all pitched in and helped to give a fresh coat of paint to a couple of large bowls that we had paper mached a few weeks ago. After the paint dries the children will help to add some decorative touches to these colorful bowls!