LYNNWOOD—The Lynnwood Library is displaying a Tiny Art Exhibit from now until April 14, which features 74 pieces of artwork done by community members aged three-years-old to adulthood.
This is the third year the Lynnwood Library has held a Tiny Art Exhibit – an idea made popular in local libraries during the pandemic. The Lynnwood Library was inspired by its community of talented artists and wanted to provide a space to share their creations. This program has been featured at community libraries, like Snohomish Library, across Sno-Isle Libraries service area.
Each year the library creates 200 kits for the public: containing instructions, three small pots of acrylic paint in three different colors, a mini canvas, and two paintbrushes. Anyone and everyone is welcome to participate and pick up one of these kits while supplies last.
While artists are encouraged to come up with ideas using the included art supplies, they are also welcome to create any kind of art they want using additional supplies if they choose to do so.
“We love seeing imagination take shape and how each artist creates a unique piece from the same materials,” said Nathalie Gelms, Lynnwood Library librarian.
One notable work is “For the Love of Isaak” by Araceli which portrays a mother and child.
These kits were distributed during the first week of March with a March 24 deadline for artwork submissions, though the library was flexible on turn-in dates to allow as many people as possible the opportunity to have their work displayed. The library began displaying the artwork on March 25.
This year the library received 74 paintings from a variety of different age groups and artistic experiences. The paintings are displayed in the library’s community art case, located on the wall near the study rooms and DVD section on the west side of the building.
The community art case was purchased several years ago by the Lynnwood Friends of the Library to display works from teen artists in the community.
Since then, the case has expanded to include an array of community art projects with the general support of artists in the community being the primary purpose.
Once the Tiny Art Exhibit concludes the library plans to use this case to display artwork from a local middle school, Gelms informed the Lynnwood Times. But community artists are also welcome to ask about displaying their works in the case as well.
“Sno-Isle Libraries vision is that everyone in our community is connected to the library. Our programs reflect the interests of our community, and we receive requests for art programming. This program is designed to spark creativity, create a welcoming space, and support our local community artists. When students see their art in the library, they are given a sense of belonging and importance,” said Gelms, Lynnwood Library librarian.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
