Teens in summer arts program paint library windows for centennial

On Tuesday afternoon, middle- and high-schoolers in the Lebanon Valley Council on the Arts’ START Art Club painted the windows of Lebanon Community Library in celebration of its 100th anniversary.

The program’s art teacher and local muralist Katie Trainer explained that she had already volunteered to paint the windows for the anniversary. Monday morning, she came up with the idea to involve her students and brought the idea to the library.

Library director Michelle Hawk was immediately in support of the idea. She said she did not give Trainer and the students much specific direction, but they geared the design around reading and this summer’s learning program theme of dinosaurs.

“I thought it was perfect, it just makes a lot of sense,” said Hawk of the teens’ involvement in the project. “I didn’t really have a vision, I’m just going with what Katie and the kids have designed.”

Trainer said that her students were excited about the idea when she brought it to them Monday. Then, she set up stations to show them a mural she painted alongside 1,700 people at Harrisburg Arts Fest (and give them a chance to add their work to the mural) and work on designs for the library windows.

She described the project as “a collaborative teaching experience where they get to be a part of the experience and see it happen,” adding that the window paintings are “something they can be proud of their involvement with.”

When Trainer asked participants what their favorite part of START was, one girl said she likes having the freedom to explore her creativity. Trainer explained that the program is largely student-led and participants can choose what type of art they would like to make.

Courtney Reimann, who started the club six years ago, explained that the five-day program is funded by the The Foundation for Enhancing Communities’ Arts for All grant. This year, participants come from the Lebanon, Annville-Cleona, and Cornwall-Lebanon school districts as well as some who are schooled at home or online.

She said a benefit of the project is that it gives students a glimpse into the life of a professional artist. Trainer regularly paints murals and works with students professionally, noting that she teaches at summer camps almost every year though this is her first time doing so in Lebanon.

Reimann said she loves seeing students naturally grow to collaborate with one another in START, calling the program “collaborative, interactive, and creative.” She said the environment is always positive and educators are able to accommodate students with special needs.

Looking forward, Reimann said the LVCA is planning a mosaic mural (also funded by the Arts for All grant) at Ironwood Park in July or August, with participation open to the community. They are still ironing out dates, she said.

Hawk said that the library project is one of multiple celebrations of the library’s 100th anniversary, including the addition of a history display for a decade each month and the display of letters written in a 1960s campaign by the library to learn about the favorite books of the time’s influential figures.

She added that the library is holding a fundraising gala Oct. 15 and is now looking for sponsorships.