Donations - Celebrating the Arts at Woodbourne Library
The endowment generates annual revenue which is used to fund several arts-related events, celebrations, and projects.
All of the following projects were made possible through the generosity of the Dorothy R. Yeck Endowment for the Arts at Woodbourne Library.
Children’s Room Makeover
Bright colors, whimsical elements and interactivity were added to the children’s rooms of the Centerville Library and Woodbourne Library in 2010, in conjunction with the Library’s 200th anniversary celebration. The new additions resulted in a space that was not only inviting and fun, but that reinforced early literacy concepts critical to building young readers. Enhancements included bold entrances featuring literary words, colorful window tinting with words frequently found in picture books and interactive stations that allow children to "play" while learning nursery rhymes, time telling and letter recognition skills. Other features like a child-sized "book return" and a 7 ft. tall growth chart ensure children know this space was designed especially for them.
"Amazing Artists" in Residence
Dovetailing into the Library's medieval arts theme, two artists took up residence at the Centerville Library and the Woodbourne Library. Artist Hilary Neu demonstrated the intricate art of calligraphy, while Jeffrey James sculpted a beautiful Celtic knotwork design into clay. The artists' final works were displayed in the Library's Amazing Arts exhibit held March 2 - April 7.
A Story Comes to Life
Under the direction of Washington Township's Town Hall Theatre Education Coordinator, Rayya El Zein, a dozen teens set out to learn more about the process of writing a play from beginning to end. The result - a professional, entertaining staged adaptation of Debra Lattimore's children's book, The Sailor Who Captured the Sea.
Iconographic Art Banners
88 iconographic banners hanging in the nonfiction sections of each library prove that art can be functional as well as beautiful. These banners feature pictogram icons that visually depict the subject matter of materials located near them (i.e., a knife & fork banner near the cooking section) to assist patrons in finding those items. The icons and banners were created by graphic designers Amanda Romero and Kyle Fisk.
ART! Competition in Honor of Library's Anniversary
More than 400 citizens celebrated 195 years of library service in Centerville and Washington Township with music, an art competition, history displays and public tours of the Library's Cataloging Center.
Dorothy R. Yeck Shrubbery Garden
Woodbourne Library gets an "extreme makeover" as aged shrubbery is replaced with 40 different kinds of shrubs in an "artistic" variety of colors, shapes and sizes.
Top Brass: Public Concert
Five men, three ethnic backgrounds, and one impressive sound drew people from all over the community for a public concert complete with on-site swing dancing instruction.
Bing Davis: Adornment as Art
Bing Davis, one of America's premier African-American artists, led kids and adults to "interact with art" as they made jewelry and other adornment from objects found in everyday life.
Peter Catalanotto: Illustrator Workshop for Children
More than 150 children and teens had an "artful" experience during the week-long drawing and writing workshop presented by nationally-renowned author and illustrator Peter Catalanotto.
