Library brings art to local young people

The Demopolis Public Library hosted four art classes in July for 64 children and teens. Local artists Kirk Brooker and Sierra Goldman taught the classes.

The classes were sponsored by grants through the Black Belt Community Foundation, the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, and the Friends of the Demopolis Public Library for a project called “Read, Think, Create!”. The goal of the project is to impact children by exposing them to enriching experiences through art and literature.

The first class taught by Kirk Brooker featured the book It Jes’ Happened: When Bill Taylor Started to Draw. Bill Taylor was an Alabama artist that used his memories to create his art. Brooker guided the class through the process of taking a memory and painting it on canvas. He explained the techniques that Taylor used in his work and helped the students use these techniques. The second class featured the book The Iridescence of Birds: A Book about Henri Matisse.

Sierra Goldman, from the Art Place in Demopolis, taught two classes featuring the book Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats. She guided the students step by step through the process of creating art like Ezra Jack Keats did in his book. The painting featured a street scene with the dog Willie from the book.

The library is hoping to offer more art classes for children throughout the year. For more information or to check out the books featured in the classes, visit the Demopolis Public Library or call 334.289.1595.