Youth Art Month

Tap into your creative side! March is Youth Art and National Craft Month. In addition to events this March, the library offers art-centered programs all year-round to help foster creativity and self-expression in children and young adults. Whether it’s crafting, painting, or journaling, we offer something for everyone. No experience necessary! Read on to learn more about our upcoming programs and recommended resources.

FOR KIDS

• Button Making Studio
  • Tuesday, March 21, 3:30-4:30PM at Glen Allen Library
  • Design and create your own original button from a variety of materials! All supplies provided. Registration is required.

Regular Program Series:

• Pre-K Open Art series
  • Held monthly at Libbie Mill Library
  • Next Session: Monday, March 20, 2:30-3:30PM
  • For children ages 3-5. Encourage your child's creativity through open-ended art experiences. Children will explore different textures and media through a developmentally appropriate art project that emphasizes discovery and independence. Books and materials related to the theme will be available for checkout to help encourage your child's natural curiosity.

• Preschool Craft Series
  • Held monthly at Twin Hickory Library
  • Next Session: Thursday, March 23, 3:30-4:30PM
  • Ages 3-5 years, with an adult helper. Celebrate Youth Art Month and spring with paper flower art and stories. March’s Theme: Paper Flower Art.

• Krafty Kids Series
  • Held monthly at North Park Library
  • Next Session: Saturday, April 1, 11AM – 12:30PM
  • Enjoy some creative learning and fun! Books and materials related to the theme will be available for checkout to encourage your child's natural curiosity.

• Elementary Art Club
  • Held regularly at Tuckahoe and Fairfield
  • Next Session: Wednesday, April 12, 3:30-4:30PM at Tuckahoe Library
  • Each session features a new themed project.

• Open Art Studio for Kids
  • Held monthly at Glen Allen Library
  • Next Session: Saturday, April 15, 11AM – 12PM
  • Ages 3-9. Encourage your child's creativity through developmentally appropriate art experiences. Process art allows children to explore various techniques and materials, creating a piece of art that's unique and original. Picture books will be available to inspire budding artists. 

FOR TWEENS & TEENS

• Spring Equinox Celebration
  • Monday, March 20, 6 -7PM at Fairfield Library
  • Celebrate the days getting longer with a variety of crafts and activities. Related books will be available to check out.

• Faerie Lore
  • Thursday, March 23, 4:30-5:30PM at Twin Hickory Library
  • Celebrate the Spring Equinox by learning all about faeries along with crafts. Explore everything from the history of the fae to current lore surrounding different mythical folk. Registration required.

Regular Program Series:

• Maker’s Lab & Upcycled Lab
  • Held regularly at Varina Library
  • Next Session: Monday, April 3, 6-8PM (Maker’s Lab: Pixelated Creations)
  • Learn and create by exploring science, technology, engineering, art, and math concepts. Books and supplies will be provided, just bring your creativity and imagination. This drop-in program will be held in the Teen Department. 

• What’s the Stitch
  • Held monthly at Fairfield Library
  • Next Session: Saturday, April 8, 2:30-4PM
  • Stop by each month as we practice our crafting skills and learn new ones. From crochet to macramé, all crafts and all skill levels are welcome. Bring a project from home to work on, or try something new with our rotating monthly craft. Supplies will be provided.

• Teen Art Studio Series
  • Held monthly at Varina Library
  • Next session: Monday, April 17, 6-8PM
  • Drop by our Teen Art Studio for some fun, hands-on creativity! We’ll discuss different styles of art and do a variety of art, craft, and drawing projects. All artistic skill levels are welcome!

• COMING SOON: North Park Teen Art Club
  • New regular series starting in May at North Park Library
  • Next Session: Monday, May 1, 4:30-6:30PM

Drop by for some creative art time after school! Bring your own supplies if you like, or use our art supplies to create your own doodles, sketches, and/or masterpieces. There will be a guided art activity available, but feel free to hang out and create your own project. Imagination is encouraged.

We hope you can join us! And if learning from home is a better fit, or you’re ready to take your skills to the next level, then check out Universal Class. Universal Class offers courses on a wide variety of art and crafting topics, including Adobe Photoshop, Acrylic Painting, and more. Access Universal Class for free with your library card through our Research and Learning databases.

You can also browse courses through Hoopla, a music, movie, television, ebook, and audiobook streaming platform available through the library for free with your library card. Find courses about art, drawing, painting, and more through their Great Courses Video Bingepass, which gives you one week of unlimited access to a variety of course content. 

COLLECTION

EARLY READER

• Anna at the Art Museum by H.J. Hutchins
• Anonymouse by Vikki VanSickle
• Bad Drawer by Seth Fishman
• Drawing Outdoors by Jairo Buitrago
• How to Draw a Happy Cat by Ethan Berlin
• Louise Bourgeois: She Saw the World as a Textured Tapestry by Amy Guglielmo
• To Make by Danielle Davis
• Scrap Metal Swan: A River Clean-Up Story
• Show the World by Angela Dalton
• Studio: A Place for Art to Start by Emily Arrow

KIDS

• Art is Life: The Life of Artist Keith Haring by Tami Lewis Brown
• The Art of Drawing Manga: Monsters & Pets by Max Marlborough
• Art Show: DIY Make it Happen by Virginia Loh-Hagan
• Art Sparks: Draw, Paint, Make, and Get Creative with 53 Amazing Projects by Marion Abrams
• The Arts: A Visual Encyclopedia by Susie Hodge
• Between Two Worlds: The Art and Life of Amrita Sher-Gil by Meera Sriram
• Cool Sewing for Kids: A Fun and Creative Introduction to Fiber Art by Alex Kuskowski
• Making Books with Kids: 25 Paper Projects to Fold, Sew, Paste, Pop, and Draw by Esther K. Smith
• Modern Art Adventures: 36 Creative Hands-On Projects Inspired by Artists from Monet to Banksy by Maja Pitamic
• The School of Art by Teal Triggs
• Super Simple Sumi-e: Easy Asian Brush Painting for All Ages by Yvonne Palka

TEENS

• An Eye for Art: Focusing on Great Artists & Their Work by the National Gallery of Art
• Art of Protest: Creating, Discovering, and Activating Art For Your Revolution by De Nichols
• Comic Book Art by Hal Marcovitz
• Cosplay Basics: A Beginners Guide to the Art of Costume Play by Yuki Takasou
• Duct Tape by Forest Walker Davis
• I Am Me: Teen Artists and Writers Speak Out on Being Yourself by Tom Worthen
• Manga for the Beginner Kawaii: How to Draw the Supercute Characters of Japanese Comics by Christopher Hart
• Paint It: The Art of Acrylics, Oils, Pastels, and Watercolors by Mari Bolte
• Stitch Camp: Learn 6 All-Time Favorite Skills: Sew, Knit, Crochet, Felt, Embroider, and Weave by Nicole Blum
• This is What I Know About Art by Kimberly Drew
• Women in Art: 50 Fearless Creators Who Inspired the World by Rachel Ignotofsky
• Write! Shoot! Edit! The Complete Guide to Filmmaking for Teens by Deborah Patz
• More titles about drawing!