Bragging rights are correctly saved until the program was finished.  Limestone Township Library and Bradley Public Library have every a great deal to brag about.  “Launching an Art Revolution for Kids,” has indeed created quite a stir in our libraries. 

The grant met with many obstacles on the way to completion, the largest was the assembly of the “Art To Go” kits.  Items ordered were either out of print or discontinued.  Replacement titles and manipulatives were found and the process repeated.  By the end of June all the kits were accounted for and the process of cataloging began.

The most enjoyable part of the grant was the visiting artists.  The money from the grant allowed the two small libraries to present well traveled performing artists to the patrons of all ages.  Paul Merklin left both libraries with finished art work, now on display in the buildings.

The grant did produce local artists as well.  Classes for students had been a part of the Bradley programming and a new addition to the Limestone program schedule.  The first classes were small, but as the word spread thru the community the schedule was increased from one class a month to three classes a week.  

Limestone wanted to showcase the hard work of the classes and displayed the finish art in every corner of the library.  Friends of the Library hosted a gallery night and the artists were allowed to sell some of their art work in a silent auction.  The proceeds were donated to the library to continue the program in the fall.

Having begun a revolution it will be hard to contain, but the far reaching effects are outstanding.  One of the artists was so proud of his new found talent he shared with his grandparents what he had learned.  While visiting a local restaurant, the student noticed a Seurat painting and explained he knew the work and had done pointillism in a class at the library.  His grandfather was most impressed.  The grandfather and the artist attended the gallery and the response was one of great amazement.  Although the attendance was not the reason for the gallery almost one hundred people visited the gallery in two hours.