Children explore art at St. Mary's library

Art can be found just about anywhere, including at the local library.

The Leonardtown Library hosted “Art Night for Kids” on Monday evening, continuing a summer program that encourages children to explore techniques that created famous works of art.

Children’s librarian Andie Tydings created the series to aid children in exploring and mimicking professional art styles used in famous art pieces. Monday’s piece was, “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte,” by Georges Seurat.

Seurat created this painting in 1884 using a technique called pointillism, which is when artists use small dots to create larger images. The children used Q-tips and paint to achieve the same effect and create a desired image using small dots of paint.

Adelin Trepanier, 10, said she loved the event because she loves art and painting.

“It’s just fun and … we can just express our feelings,” Trepanier said.

Not only did the children like the event, but some parents said they loved the opportunity to get their kids out of the house and somewhere they could be creative.

“I absolutely love [the program],” said Trent Trepanier, the father of two girls who attended the event. “Both are into art, so it exposes them to different versions and gives them an opportunity to express themselves.”

Some of the parents participated and even created their own pictures as well.

Brittany Amaker of Leonardtown and Stephanie Ryon of Hollywood both brought their 7-year-old daughters to the program and said, for their first library event, it went really well.

“The girls seemed to love it,” Amaker said.

The program not only gives children something to do during the summer, but it also allows them to explore a potentially messy craft outside of the house, Ryon said.

“[The program is] really cool,” she said. “It’s a mess they make here and then I get to leave.”

The series will continue on July 22 and focus on “Composition 8” by Vasily Kandinski. The program requires prior registration via the library’s website and the kids will make paintings using shapes.

Tydings said the whole point is that the library can provide activities for families who may not have the supplies at home, especially during the summer.

“These types of programs are wildly important,” Tydings said.

The program presents complex art in an understandable way, the librarian said, and it has the ability to expose children to new interests and help develop the ones they already have.

“I love art and I wanted to make art accessible to kids,” Tydings said. “Hopefully kids can start to learn and appreciate art from a young age.”