Friday, November 17, 2017

Teaching Aides Pop-Up Sale

We have a GREAT collection of recently donated teaching aides for classroom teachers and home schoolers. Everything, with a few exceptions, in this pop-up sale is $1.

The sale is taking place in the library atrium off of the parking lot.

Sunday, November 12, 2017

First Sunday Lecture: The Transformational Consequences of The Great War, 1914-1918

Meet the chief negotiators at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919: David Lloyd George, Britain; Vittorio Orlando, Italy; George Clemenceau, France; and Woodrow Wilson, USA  

Thank you, Dr. Marchione, for today's excellent lecture. 

First Sunday Lecture: The Transformational Consequences of The Great War, 1914-1918

2017 is the centennial anniversary of America's entrance into "The Great War." In a lecture and slide presentation, Dr. Marchione will examine the consequences of World War I. Its transformative effects include unprecedented human and material damage, the Russian Revolution, the collapse of imperial dynasties, American isolationism, and the the onset of the Great Depression.The Sunday Lecture series is sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library and Smyrna Public Library.

Friday, November 3, 2017

THANK YOU, Volunteers!


THANK YOU to our volunteers for braving the unseasonable rain, freezing temps and high winds at the Jonquil Festival Book Sale last weekend. Even with the really weird (and perfect storm of awful) weather we managed to raise some money to fund 2018 projects because of your wonderful help!

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Metalworks by Mike Sluder Opens at Smyrna Public Library Display Gallery

The November/December 2017 Display Gallery exhibit has opened – Metalworks by Mike Sluder.  Mr. Sluder’s exhibit concludes on December 31. The Display Gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Library. The Display Gallery exhibits are sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Artist Statement:
You are most likely to find artist Mike Sluder in welding leathers, elbow-deep in sand or brandishing a blow torch. As one of the country’s notable metal artists, Mike has made a name for himself by creating breathtaking and sophisticated metal art from gritty, industrial beginnings.

Mike was formally trained in sculpture under internationally recognized artists at East Carolina University, where he earned his B.F A. in 2006. He has worked at two leading fine art bronze foundries, overseeing the Metal Shop and serving as Patina Specialist. Mike currently lives in Atlanta and creates custom art for individual collectors and corporate clients, including The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. He is best known for his bronze vessels and copper wall hangings, both noted for uniting inspired vision with enduring materials. 

Mike’s art has been featured in the Museum of Design Atlanta as well as in national and international exhibitions and publications.

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Paper & Acrylics by Matt Blodgett Opens at Smyrna Public Library Art Gallery

The November/December 2017 Art Gallery exhibit has opened – Paper & Acrylics by Matt Blodgett.  Mr. Blodgett’s exhibit concludes on December 31. The Art Gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Library. The Art Gallery exhibits are sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Artist Statement:

Matt Blodgett grew up on a rural Ohio farm, immersed in the beauty of plants and the creative energy of nature. Even in high school Matt showed great creative talent and artistic aptitude, winning a statewide student art competition with "Indian Princess," a mixed media collage with handmade paper and copper. The piece hung in the Ohio Governor's Mansion for one year.

Matt majored in Horticulture and Landscape Design at Ohio State University. Moving to Atlanta after college and working with some of the top landscape companies in the South Matt developed a keen sense for composition and texture. After more than 20 years in that industry he has now shifted his attention to his first and deepest calling, Fine Art, working primarily in collage, handmade and cut paper, and acrylic media.

He has shown at several Atlanta Art Fairs, including twice at Callanwolde Art Center, and has pieces in private collections from Los Angeles to Washington, DC. to New York City.

He is very happy to have the opportunity for this solo show, particularly because the library setting highlights the potential for the expressive use of paper (both handmade and cut paper) in ways that reach beyond its common use as simply a vehicle for the printed word.