Polish Pottery on display at the Beach library
Weekly Activities
-Preschool Story Hour for children on Wednesday, August 12, at 10:30 a.m.
-Digital Cameras class on Thursday, August 13, at 10:30 a.m.
-Book Discussion Group on Tuesday, August 18, at 10:00 a.m.
Activity Details
If you want to get a better command of using a digital camera or what to look for in utilizing its features better, consider registering for the Digital Camera class on August 13. Every feature of the Kodak c875 will be explained, through its online demos, covering the steps from taking a picture to transferring it to a computer and e-mailing it.
Upcoming Events
Knitters meet again on August 19.
Dog Day is scheduled for August 20, from 4 to 5 p.m. Sign up children for a time to spend reading to dogs. Summer is a good time when there’s a bit more time available so families can bring two or three children.
Writer’s Group meets on August 20, at 10:30 a.m. It’s a perfect time to share ideas, get critique and encouragement, and work toward sharing your writing.
Polish Pottery
In the display case, in the magazine reading area on the second floor is an exhibit of Polish Pottery. The beauty of these Boleslawiec Ceramics consists of decorating underneath the glaze. The decorations in the form of branches, flowers, birds and religious motifs were introduced onto the ceramics before the process of burning and by means of special punches.
Polish Pottery has a reputation for being extremely durable. Each piece is handmade and hand-decorated. The vibrant colors are chosen according to Polish custom producing a great diversity of brightly hued stoneware dishes. A clear advantage of these pieces is that they are oven, microwave, dishwasher, and freezer safe. They are completely safe for use with food and intended for everyday cooking.
The inviting pieces on display are from the kitchen of Kristin Nenninger.
Artist of the Month
Our artist this August features the works of Joseph (Joe) Frantz, an art student at Florida Gulf Coast University and expectant father. Some of his works were done with specific parameters from an art instructor; others reflect Joe’s enjoyment of the medium.
The theme in this exhibit that fascinates Joe is the contradiction which prevails in all aspects of life. He starts out with simple, yet unique subjects, and using single colors has highly expressive forms that juxtapose one another to make a statement. In conversing with the artist, I tried to probe if his intention is to make a profound social, cultural or individual statement, but he keeps it simple: let the viewer be drawn into the work and think of elements he sees, and though Joe didn’t say, but in viewing the works it seems he wants the viewer to notice what we might easily disregard in daily life.
The exhibit in the Conference room features a gibbon (ape) with an adjoining primate both painted on wood. Then there are the anatomical views of the hand and another of the feet, both soothing. The viewer will then find paintings which revolve around what might be called quotes of contradiction. There is no quick viewing of this set of three. In viewing them, I was reminded of Goerges Bataille’s “I believe that truth has only one face: that of a violent contradiction” or even Oscar Wilde’s “The well-bred contradict other people. The wise contradict themselves.”
On another wall are two large white portraits with a single mammal each. The space says as much as the paint on these canvases.
Clearly, Joe is having fun. Enjoy the exhibit here for the month of August.
The Value a Library Brings
The editor of “Planning Commissioners Journal,” Wayne Senville, researched public libraries recently as he looked at what brings value to our communities. In his editorial leading to a lengthy article he writes, “For too long, libraries have been under-appreciated, often drawing less interest and attention than a new sports arena, shopping complex, office tower, or theater. But the good news is that this has begun to change, as more communities are recognizing the value that having a strong library brings.”
He continues, “Not only do libraries provide valuable services for residents of all ages, incomes, and ethnic backgrounds, but they can also inject a healthy dose of vitality into downtowns, main streets, and neighborhood centers.”
Pelicans
Make a stop at the Senior Zone display case which features pelicans. These endearing figurines are courtesy of Beach resident and library staffperson Faith Ann.
In the Middle Ages, the pelican was often pictured as being very devoted to her young, to the point of providing her own blood when no other food was available. As a result, the pelican became a symbol of the Passion of Jesus and of the Eucharist. Even a folk tale from India says that a pelican killed her young by rough treatment but then was so contrite that she resurrected them with her own blood. While this isn’t exactly true, these legends may have arisen because pelicans look as if they are stabbing themselves as they often press their bills into their chest to fully empty their pouch.
Enjoy the exhibit!
Library Hours
Don’t remember library hours? Call for information. When we are closed, a recorder gives the hours of operation, either on 765-8162 or on 765-8163. Except for holidays, which would be mentioned on the recorder, we are open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We look forward to seeing you.