By Kathryn Johnson 

Introduction to Drawing for older adults

June 8, 15, 22, 29
3:30–5:30 p.m.

Learn to see like an artist during this four-week course, exploring a variety of approaches to representational drawing. Practice basic strategies for developing accurate drawings brought to life through a strong emphasis on learning visual language as it relates to line, composition, value, and basic perspective. This class is designed for beginners, as well as those who want to deepen their practice.

Library pre-concert

Are you and the little ones planning on attending the free First Friday concert on June 2? Receive free parking and enjoy a family-friendly show before the concert, starting at 5 p.m. in the library.

Children and their caregivers are sure to have a rocking good time dancing to one of our favorite bands — Hullabaloo. In fact, we might have too much fun to keep it indoors, so bring a blanket if we take the fun outside.

Storytimes

Ever want to visit the library in your pajamas? Well here is your chance. In April, we are introducing our new Pajama Storytime! It will take place the last Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m.

Don’t forget to join us for our other wonderful storytimes: Baby Storytime Mondays at 10 a.m.; Toddler Storytime Tuesdays at 10 a.m.; Preschool Storytime Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.; and Yoga Storytime the first and third Fridays of the month at 10 a.m.

Summer Reading

This year we will have a summer reading program for kids, teens and adults. This year’s Summer Reading theme is “Read by Design.” Just like last year all you need to do is sign up either online or with us here in the branch and you are reading to start reading! Once you read 10 books, you get a bag of fabulous prizes to take home. So be sure to get the whole family signed up starting June 15.

Science at the Library

Each Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. throughout the summer, we will also be having some great science programs. Starting on June 20, The League of Extraordinary Scientists and Engineers bring LIFE-CYCLES to LIFE during a 40-minute interactive presentation. They will bring tadpoles, frogs, beetles, mantis and more.

We teach how everything alive has a life cycle and how those life cycles are connected: seeds to plants, babies to adults, and eggs to butterflies. We discover how scientists explore, discover, journal and share information to better understand our planet. We observe differences to compare and contrast, for example between chrysalis and cocoons. Then they allow all of the students to come up close and explore.

Emerging ceramic artists

During the month of May, the Allied Gardens/Benjamin Branch Library is highlighting a selection of contemporary and traditional ceramics by students from the San Diego City College Art Program. Featured artists include Tom Andrews, Sandra Bryant, Victor Robinson and several members of San Diego City College Clay Club.

Exhibit ends May 30.

New visions of familiar landscapes

“Views from Miller Mountain: Photography of Brian Miller and Tim Mountain” electrifies our community room with vivid HDR photography during May and June.

Brian Miller was first inspired by his father who is a photographer and an accomplished artist. He studied advanced and commercial photography at Southwestern Community College and his photos of local labor rallies and events have been published throughout the community for over 20 years. When he’s not taking photographs, he can be found in the garden with his grandchildren or brewing his own beer. Today, Miller’s photography focuses primarily on landscape and still life which is the theme of the current exhibit. His lush flowers and vibrant scenes refresh the spirit!

Tim Mountain reveals a deep appreciation for nature (no doubt influenced by his B.A. in geography from SDSU) in his photographs of our local terrain. Stop by and see if you recognize the view! Mountain’s photographs also reveal something extrasensory. He explains that, with HDR, “you can get closer to the way ‘YOU’ actually saw the scene at the time you took it” and, as he says, “you can make an image say ‘Wow!’”

Mountain and Miller are both long-time members of Pacific Paranormal Investigations (a local group that investigates paranormal activity). Indeed, these landscapes capture moments when internal and external realities collide. Stop by to meet the photographers at a reception on Saturday, May 27, noon–2 p.m. in the Allied Gardens/Benjamin Branch Library Community Room.

We look forward to seeing you at the library!

—Kathryn Johnson is managing librarian for the Allied Gardens/Benjamin Branch Library. Reach her at [email protected].