Everyone is invited to join us for our annual commemoration of the library's benefactor Adelaide Pearson. This year we are hosting the first Adelaide Pearson Arts Festival in the library's Howard room, Britton Gallery and Teen Area on second floor! On Saturday, August 10 from 10AM-2PM local artists will present their work with live demonstrations and displays, while also providing fun activities for kids of all ages. Joining us will be felter Pat Horton, eco-artist Katama Murray, artist Melissa Rioux and pottery team Codey Stange and Elise Teixido. There will also be a fascinating display of objects collected by Miss Pearson during her years of travel, a craft and coloring area for kids of all ages.

Pat Horton has lived in Sedgwick, Maine on the inspirational Bagaduce River since 1987. She has always loved to knit with wool, and then a felting workshop opened her eyes to a fresh way of creating with the versatile fiber. Pat considers her work to be fun, funky and functional as she makes bracelets, baskets, decorative pieces and more for her small business Bagaduce Tides Fiberworks.

Katama Murray is an eco artist, educator, naturalist, and business owner from the Blue Hill peninsula in Maine. Her mixed media work and company, Teach Peace Prints, are inspired by place-based making and our interconnectedness to the environment. With a passion for multidisciplinary making, she enjoys learning and teaching together with people of all ages, hoping to inspire others to become more connected to the earth through the power of art and community.

Melissa Rioux is head of the art department at George Stevens Academy. She splits her time between Little Deer Isle and Penobscot and is a maker of all sorts.

Codey Stange makes Functional Wood Fired Ceramics at E and C Ceramics in Blue Hill with his partner Elise. “Clay became my medium of choice because of its ease of malleability and forgiveness during the early working stages. This allows me to play around with ideas such as forms, shapes, and textures with the ability to add or subtract from a piece or even wipe the slate clean. I enjoy making pottery because of the repetition, allowing me to make minor adjustments to a single form every time and slowly honing in on aspects that I like.  I also enjoy how accessible functional pottery can be and how it can fit seamlessly into our daily lives and enrich our personal space. From that first cup of coffee or tea in the morning, to sitting around the table enjoying a meal with loved ones.”

Elise Teixido makes Functional Wood Fired Ceramics at E and C Ceramics in Blue Hill with her partner Codey. “When I first started working with clay, I was instantly captivated by being able to create items to be used and shared. I have always felt that functional ceramics toe a beautiful line between art, craft, and community. The Blue Hill Peninsula, being so rich in all those things, has been a wonderful place to live and work. Gathering inspiration from soft mossy forests, rugged coasts, and tight-knit communities. I strive to make pots with soft curves that nestle into the hand to entice being held. I love working slowly and carefully, taking time to hand carve and paint pots to create delicate complex surfaces.” 

This event is sponsored by the library and all are welcome. A full schedule of activities is provided below or can be picked up at the library. All materials will be provided, though some activities will have limited space and are first come first serve. Registration is required for Pat Horton's workshop "Painting with Wool: A Wet Felting Project" and can be completed through the library calendar. This activity is open to kids ages 7+.  Registration is only for this one workshop. You do not need to register to attend the rest of the festival.  If you have any questions please contact Teen Services and Outreach Librarian Kendall Chapman at kendall.chapman@bhpl.net or by calling 374-5515.

The annual Adelaide Pearson commemoration is made possible by a generous donation from the Purvis family.