Table tennis? In the library?! Yes! We opened up the our event space and learned the basics of table tennis, then worked on our skills as we challenged one another to matches. Our teen participants did great! Extra library staff were recruited to provide them with additional opponents, but did not fare well! 🙂 Enjoy some photos from the event below:
Teens used henna to create temporary body art in this fun program. They also each received a custom henna design courtesy of our visiting artist, Rebecca Huston (Heathen Ink Tattoo). While waiting for their henna to dry (or to receive their designs), they created nylon tattoo sleeves. Here are some photos from the event:
Teens and adults tried pour painting under the guidance of instructor and expert doodler Jen Keller (The Oodlearium). It was a messy, delicious, creative time and everyone made something unique! Take a gander at some photos from the event:
Using watercolor pencils, a reference image, and a clever pencil transfer technique for tracing the image, teens created their own cherry blossom masterpieces in watercolor. Even though they were all working from the same image, everyone’s turned out different. See their creations below:
Local artist Kathie Collinson of Collinson Fine Art taught a class in the library’s Creative Studio on encaustic painting (for teens), where they learned how to create artworks using the ancient art of melted wax. Kathie guided participants through the process and everyone was able to create their own artwork. Check out photos from the event below:
Teens learned to knit this month in a series of 3 classes covering some knitting basics: yarn and needle selection, casting on, knit stitch, adding rows, binding off. We didn’t *quite* meet our goal of completing a scarf, but participants made some good progress on their projects! Our knitting instructors included library staff and a volunteer from The Fray (the library’s adult stitchery club). Photos from one of our classes below:
Teens (and some brave adults) learned some choreography to BTS’s “Dynamite,” this March (2023) from Melanie Andersen, dance instructor (Turning Pointe Academy of Dance in Elgin). Everyone picked it up really quickly and challenged themselves at the end of class to speed things up – double time – with some hilarious results. Check out some photos from the event below!
Dance instructor, Melanie Andersen (from Turning Pointe Academy of Dance in Elgin) led us through some choreography to the chorus of Nayeon’s “POP!” this November, and our teen participants were up to the challenge! (Their YA Librarian counterpart will probably be practicing at 75% for the foreseeable future.) It was a fun class and we all got a good workout. Check out some photos below. We hope to do this again soon!
Teens in grades 6 – 12 created their own, unique painted stones using acrylic gouache. Everyone had their own spin on the concept – a mandala-like repeating design. Enjoy their artwork below!
This is a gallery of photos submitted by teens working towards earning badges for the 2021-2022 Winter Challenge. Check out their photos below!