Picturing America - The Dove

To help teach American history and culture, the Library will offer “Picturing America,” a series of free programs funded by ArtsInStark for children in grades K – 6 incorporating activities, fun and some of the country’s great works of art.  On September 25 at 11:00 a.m. the library will present The Dove. Artist and educator Kathy Jevec will lead the program. Children will make their own collages to underscore the presentation.

Created during the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, the collage The Dove depicts a bustling city neighborhood with a serene bird at its center. It also marked a new artistic direction for Romare Bearden (1911 – 1988), who for the remainder of his career continued to create collages often referred to as “visual poetry.”  As part of the Spiral group of artists, Bearden approached the question, “What is black art?” from an optimistic, upward-moving attitude and became one of the first artists to depict black popular culture from an African-American point of view. His work drew from his own life in North Carolina, Harlem, Pittsburgh, and New York City.

Registration is required and begins September 13. Visit the Children’s Department or call (330) 832-5037 to register.

The public is invited to view several large, high-quality laminated reproductions of great American art now displayed in the Children’s Department of the Massillon Public Library  located at 208 Lincoln Way East. The Second Street entrance is handicapped accessible.