Date & Time: Monday, Febraury 6 @ 3:00pm - 4:30pm (artwork displayed all month long)

Description: From the Harlem Renaissance to the creation of hip hop, Black Americans have contributed significantly to arts and culture in the United States. This month we will be hosting an artists workshop for patrons to learn about the history of Black art and to make some art of your own in similar styles. Come join us and learn to paint like Jacob Lawrence, write songs like Nina Simone, and collage like Christian Robinson. All works of art created at our workshop will be displayed in our display cases for the month of February. This event is hosted by our local art institute.

Staffing: 1 library staff member to run the art workshop and 2 staff members from the local art institute.

Budget: n/a; this craft utilizes materials the library already has from previous programs and the events speakers have graciously donated their time.

Date & Time: Tuesday, February 14 @ 3:00pm-4:00pm

Description: Originating in West Africa with Yoruba culture, ayabomi dolls became part of the African diaspora in America, often seen within Gullah Geechee culture in Georgia and the Carolinas (Cool Culture, 2022). Join us as we sew and weave together, making our own ayobomi dolls. The library will supply all materials, but if you have textiles that are important to you that you would like to use, please bring them along.

Inspired by: https://programminglibrarian.org/programs/abayomi-doll-making-workshop

Take Home Option: The library has several pre-made kits with instructions, patterns, and textiles for you to make your own Abayomi doll at home. While you're at it, why not take an online tour of the Cum Yah Gullah exhibit at the Fort Bend Children's Discovery Center or learn about the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor.

Staffing: 1 library staff member.

Budget: $100 for doll making supplies.

Date & Time: All month long

Description: It's time to explore your community! Hidden throughout our city is a scavenger hunt at our black-owned businesses. You can pick up a map at the library or online and follow the map for clues. At each business, show your map to the business owner and they will stamp your paper. Once you have collected your stamps, head back to the library and pick up your prize!

Staffing: no additional staffing requirements; the librarian at the circulation desk will be responsible for handing out scavenger hunt sheets and giving our prizes.

Budget: $30 for prizes and maps.

Come guess how many heart candies are in the jar! Winner takes home the jar contents and a book. 

If you are unable to visit the library to guess in person, a picture of the jar and its contents is posted on IPL's Facebook page, and guesses can be submitted using our guessing form found here.

Good luck!