The Teen Reading Lounge of the Erie County Public Library is hosting a teen chalk art competition Wednesday, Aug. 12.
Teens will transform the concrete around the library into vibrant colors and works of art that demonstrate the power of youth and connection to their community. It is an opportunity for teens to “tell their own story” through art and to win prizes.
Now in its seventh year at Blasco Library, the Teen Reading Lounge, an award-winning program created by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, allows participants to engage in art and literature with other teens in a safe learning space. Teens pick the titles to read and have deep discussions about serious contemporary issues. Each year, the group also develops a social impact project to give back to the community.
Project inspired by nation's racial unrest
The current project was inspired through their reading and the ongoing racial unrest in the nation. This summer’s book selection is “Color Outside the Lines,” edited by Sangu Mandanna — a collection of short stories about diverse teens (multiracial, intercultural, LGBTQ+) and how they love despite their differences.
The Teen Reading Lounge group encourages teens to promote awareness of teen issues by building on the library’s summer reading challenge theme of "Imagine Your Story." The chalk art is an opportunity to tell their story about what it means to be a teen today. The group hopes this art project will give other teens a chance to create something positive for everyone to enjoy, and that people who view the chalk walk will see beauty in diversity and the power of love in Erie.
Register by Aug. 10
Participants of the chalk walk will receive everything needed to create their art design. The chalk spaces will be socially distant, and teens will be required to wear masks. Pre-registration is required by Monday, Aug. 10, to be eligible for prizes, and participants need not be current Teen Reading Lounge members. A very limited number of open spaces will be available the day of the contest.
This program is free and open to teens 13-18 years of age. For more information or to register, contact Tammy Blount, teen services librarian, at Teenspace@eriecountypa.gov or call the Teen Space at (814) 451-6904.
Teen Reading Lounge is made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf, Governor. Additional support is provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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