Library calls artists to submit creations for upcoming virtual expo

“One upside of staying at home in 2020 for many local creatives has been the time to make and produce all sorts of arts and crafts,” Teresa Meyers, the library’s marketing and communications manager, said in a news release. “Now the Longmont Public Library wants to see the fruits of that labor.”

At the beginning of the month, the library put out the call for submissions for the online All Ages Art Expo, which will remain open until Jan. 31, according to the website. Community members are invited to send any form of art, including drawings, paintings, photographs or knitting projects, as long as they are family friendly.

“We're open to all media, traditional and nontraditional. The (artists) can either take a picture or scan it up to send to us, and that is what we’ll put in the presentation that will be available in early February,” said David Kling, library technician and virtual art expo coordinator.

Depending on how many submissions are received, art creations might be divided into categories, Kling said. 

“We're kind of loosely tying it in with some of our ongoing programs and services like our Crafternoon Challenge for kids or also recently the Creativebug (service),” Kling said. “We're hoping that people will be showing off whatever they made in 2020 but maybe we can also inspire people to make something (new) and submit it.”

Chase Sterling, student at Altona middle school, library volunteer and participating artist, said this is an opportunity to become involved in community activities, especially for artists. 

“I thought it would be fun to be a part of this and see what other artists are doing and support them as well,” Sterling said. “The Longmont library is trying to build community amongst younger people, this could be a good opportunity to find other people who enjoy the same things you like to do.”

Unsure which piece to submit, Sterling said it will likely include a landscape, a sunset and two original characters.

“A lot of what my art is is storytelling and that is why I use characters. I use them to tell stories and present different ideas,” Sterling said. “My motivation is to bring enjoyment to people but also make them think.” 

Kling said the idea for this program emerged from wanting members across the community to connect even amidst the COVID-related restrictions that have closed the library to in-person visits. 

“When we’ve been looking at our programming offerings it really comes down to finding connections in our current situation,” Kling said. “I grew up in Longmont and have always admired how we put art first as a community, we have so much public art and so many artists.”

While a date has not been set for the virtual exhibition, it will likely become available the first week of February, Kling said. 

“Once we have the slideshow ready (with all of the submissions), we're probably going to put it on our YouTube channel, share it on Facebook and on our website. And it'll just be there (indefinitely),” Kling said. “If it goes well, maybe we could make it an annual thing.”

Interested participants can submit their art through the Library’s website through the end of the month, Myers said in the news release. 

“The more submissions, the grander the exhibition, so tell your family, friends, and neighbors to send in their creations today,” she said.