HEADLINE: Sue Sylvester, cheerleading coach for the “Cheerios” on “Glee”, one of my favorite TV shows, is running for Congress in her home state of Ohio. Her platform (or should I say agenda) is anti-arts in public schools. “Arts are expensive,” she says, “and we can’t afford them anymore.” Of course, if you have ever watched “Glee”, you know it’s a musical satire and the character of Sue Sylvester is portrayed as being more than slightly skewed.
Still, as in most fiction and fantasies, there’s an ounce of truth in Coach Sylvester’s platform. Many states and cities across the nation are struggling financially and public funds for the arts have been or are threatened to be drastically reduced, leaving the communities and libraries to fill the voids. Thankfully, there is not a lack of arts in Haltom City, nor a lack of support for the arts here, not with two major artistic events being held at the Haltom City Public Library starting in the month of October, 2011.
On Saturday, October 1st, the City of Haltom City will hold its first ever Art in the City at the Haltom City Public Library! The responses from local artists have been overwhelming, guaranteeing that all types of art media will be available for you to purchase and treasure. (Early Christmas shopping mecca??) The art event will be from 10:00 to 5:00 and admission is free. Your library blog mistress plans to be there and hopes that you will be there too.
Starting on Saturday, October 15, 2011 and continuing through November, even perhaps early December, Watercolor Painting Classes will be available at the Haltom City Public Library. Haltom City’s very own award-winning “Artist in Residence”, Bennie Johnson Woods, will be teaching the classes. Cost is $90 and the class is limited to 20 participants. Please look for the outstanding article on Bennie Johnson Wood in your latest Haltom City’s newsletter, Crossroads.
These may be difficult times for the arts but your community and your library are not only keeping up with the pace, they are setting it! So how about letting them know what a good job they’re doing? They’d love to hear from you. E-mail me at: libraryblogmistress@gmail.com and I’ll forward your comments and suggestions to them.
Happy Reading from your Library Blog Mistress