May and June Gallery Exhibits Announced by Smyrna Library

Artwork from the students at Art & Food and Whitefield Academy is on display.

SMYRNA, GA (May 16, 2007) - The Friends of Smyrna Library has announced that the Smyrna Library Display Galleries will feature artwork created by Art & Food as well as artwork by the students of Whitefield Academy which is located in northwest Atlanta. The exhibit is running through June 30, 2007 and will be on display daily during regular library operating hours. The galleries are located on the second floor of the Smyrna Library at 100 Village Green Circle in the Smyrna Village. For more information please visit friendsofsmyrnalibrary.org.

"This is a great opportunity for our library to showcase the creative work of the students of both Art & Food and of Whitefield Academy," stated Dorothy Sibert, coordinator of the Smyrna Library Galleries. "Art & Food is a center for training young adults with developmental disabilities. Creating art and preparing food are key activities used to help the students prepare for entry level jobs in the community. We're pleased to showcase their work here. The Whitefield Academy students have won a number awards locally and this exhibit presents a mix of the kind of creativity that is being nurtured at the academy."

The "Art & Food" material is featured in the display cases and features self portraits and paintings, a suitcase collage, wax covered pictures and decorated railroad tacks. In the art galleries, the work of the Whitefield students include "Australian Aborigines Paintings" which were created using sticks, rocks and other nature items as painting tools similar to what the ancient Aborigines used. "Dinovision" paintings were created using watercolors and they capture the visual perspective of a dinosaur, who were believed to see brilliant colors in everything they viewed, which is very different from what a person would see.

The Smyrna Library Galleries, which are managed by the Friends of Smyrna Library, are showcases for the works of local artists, craftspeople and collectors who have something unique to share with the larger community. The Friends of Smyrna Library organization is continuously seeking thought-provoking and visually appealing exhibits to feature in the gallery.

The Friends of Smyrna Library is a non-profit organization that has served the Smyrna Library since 1991. The organization develops and executes various adult programs and helps fund children programs to promote appreciation for the library and to grow its membership. The Friends of Smyrna Library is the sponsor of "Murder Goes South," a Southern mystery book festival that brings authors and readers throughout the region together for discussions, workshops and more. It is the highlight of the Friends yearly program schedule. To learn more about the Friends of Smyrna Library, visit friendsofsmyrnalibrary.org.

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Contact:
Don Kintner
Friends of Smyrna Library Public Relations
770-436-9380
dkintner@friendsofsmyrnalibrary.org

Linda Evans
Friends of Smyrna Library President
770-431-2860
levans@friendsofsmyrnalibrary.org