By John Maruskin

The 2017 ASRP Accumulative Community Art show got a big boost of color and energy over the past two week thanks to some talented young artists.

Tate and Eli Strain brought in one acrylic painting each. As you walk down the hallway toward the Codell Brooks Community room follow their light.

Eli’s abstract expressionist piece, “Blues,” done in a variety of blue colors is full of hints of dusk, dynamic water, and mysterious fog.

Tait’s piece…with one of the best titles I’ve ever read, “Flower for Manny”…radiates out from a hot yellow, orange and red flower in the upper left corner that acts as the hub for dancing circles and dashes of pinks, greens, and blues. Magnifique!

Hagan, Julia and Radford Lopresti brought in drawings.

Julia’s “Owl,” done in pinks and grays (which are the hues an owl takes on at sunset) sits on a branch and stares out at you with intense, alert blue eyes. Hagan’s “Feathered Friend” is a joyful surprise of blue and purple feathers in lush greenery. Radford’s “Knight’s Fury” is a stern gray battle blade signifying all the strength of knighthood.

If you’ve had enough of the quotidian dumps, come to the Accumulative Community Art Show, and gaze at the world through the eyes of young artists.

Which brings me to the art the Library received from a swell group of funny and energetic kids in Madeline Potter’s migrant family summer camp at Campbell Jr. High. Circulation desk manager, Caleb Diederich and I had a blast working with them over the past two Mondays, and in two quick sessions they tossed off splendid examples of intuitive artistic genius worthy of Picasso. Do they adhere to the classic fundamentals of art? No, but they illustrate a dictum of William Blake (who was no fan of classic fundamentals): “Energy is eternal delight.”

I want to enthusiastically thank Skyler, Ian Morales, Selena H, Kayle H, Jason Arreguin and Mario Ardegan for playing with us and teaching us how to make art fun.

During the second meeting we talked about the moon, and I quoted one of my favorite lines from American poet, Nancy Willard: “The Moon does it’s one trick. It turns into a banana.”

At the end of the meeting Ian Morales, handed in his work called: “Eating Pizza at a Restaurant called Restaurant; Banana Sun and Cookie Moon out the Window.” Ian explained that, for him, the moon is a cookie, and the sun is the color of a banana. A true artist follows his own lights.

Come to the Library and take a look at some unfettered imagination. It will make you smile.

If you have a young artist at your home, or if you are a young artist, bring in your work. The show will be until the end of July and we’ll accept work till July 15.

What else happens this week?

— Tuesday, Yippee! The Fourth of July. The Library is closed.

— Wednesday at 2 p.m., Kentucky presents a 2016 film about Mia, an aspiring actress, who serves lattes to movie stars between auditions and Sebastian, a jazz musician, who scrapes by playing gigs in dingy bars. As their success mounts they face decisions that fray the fragile fabric of their love affair, and the dreams they worked so hard to maintain threaten to rip them apart. Rated – PG-13

— Friday, Write Local.

— Saturday, 9 a.m., Yoga on the lawn. Canceled if it rains.

— Saturday, 1-2 p.m., DIY Soap making with Jennifer Haven. Learn how to mix up your own powerful, inexpensive laundry soap. Free samples for all who attend.

Have a crackerjack Fourth of July.

John Maruskin is director of adult services at the Clark County Public Library. He can be reached at john.clarkbooks@gmail.com.