Cheney Library hosts three local artists and hands-on art event

Have you ever painted a fish before?

Not painting a picture of a fish, but actually putting paint on a fish. Sound weird? Sound like fun?

The Cheney Public Library is hosting a public art event on Saturday, Aug. 19. The event is called "An Art Experience by Kay, Karen and Janet" and is held free of charge in the library's meeting room. Individuals wishing to participate are welcome to drop in anytime between 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The event includes simple hands-on art projects presented by three local artists: Kay Kinghorn, Karen Simmons and Janet Wilbanks. The artists are encouraging participation (materials provided).

At 10:30, Kinghorn will start with some fun Gyotaku (the Japanese art of fish printing). At 11:30, Simmons will be encouraging the use of shapes and patterns in colorful drawings and at 2 p.m. Wilbanks will bring out charcoal pencils for object drawing simplified. Kinghorn will also be doing a demo-only of clay mask making at 1 p.m.

"I believe our Library is at the heart of community interaction and I find it is a privilege to represent out cultural community by displaying their art," Cheney Library supervisor Catherine Nero Lowry said in an email.

Lowry said the library currently has a display by the "Knotty Knitters" group that "covers this amazing art process from the sheep to yarn to the final product and everything in between." Also on display is a collection of biographical posters of famous people created by Cheney Middle Schools students inspired by their teacher Sherri Syrie.

Original artwork and prints by Kinghorn, Simmons and Wilbanks will be exhibited and is for sale. To find out more, call (509) 235-2537.