By John Maruskin

Clark County Public Library

Three new exhibits will make your next trip to the library super.

Claire Webb loaned the library her Kokeshi dolls for the display on the right side of the lobby as patrons enter.

These colorful handmade wooden dolls, each with distinctive costumes, features and personalities, date back to the early 19th Century when kijiya (woodworkers), began making dolls to sell as toys and souvenirs.

Using seasoned dark cherry or mizuki wood, kokeshi craftsmen turn and cut dolls on a lathe and polish them. The head and body are usually turned separately, then attached with a plug.

A kokeshi artist hand paints the face and the kimono pattern. People often make the dolls at home and create kokeshi bokko, puppet shows using kokeshi.

Liz Borden loaned the library Zuni soapstone bears and tree fungi paintings displayed in the left-side case.

She collected these figures at Yellowstone and Grand Canyon National Parks and during the time she and her husband, David, lived in Alaska.

Zuniartists who make these bears use colorful striations running through the soapstone, along with subtle touches like lapis eyes, to give each figure unique characteristics and mysterious depths. Pictures of the Aurora Borealis and Alaskan homesteads enhance the exhibit.

Clark County artist Frances Hampton has a variety of arts and crafts on display in the library’s reference area. Frances believes art is everywhere and she enjoys working with a range of materials.

Along with colored pencil drawings, acrylic and watercolor paintings of birds and birdhouses (Frances has a great eye for birds) her show also features painted rocks, painted circular saw blades and beaded jewelry strung on filament or assembled on safety pins.

One of my favorite pieces is a painted ceramic pond scene framing a picture of white-tailed buck and doe. Sunlight coming through the window behind makes the frame glisten and the deer glow. It’s beautiful.

Her bright, rainbow tasseled, soulful-eyed camel painting will lift your spirits.

Frances is self-taught and follows her artistic instincts. She represents scenes and animals she loves. I think her exhibit is one of the best ever at the library and I encourage you to come in, and enjoy its color, energy and inspiration.

Featured classes next week:

— From 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Ohinasama Origami Dolls. Reference librarian Brad Allard will show you how to fold origami versions of Ohinsama, as well as their display stands and decorative folding screens.

These traditional Japanese dolls are typically displayed in the spring in Japan in celebration of Girls’ Day. Traditional origami paper will be provided. This class is limited to eight, so you must register to attend.

— From 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 20, “Okralicious: Growing a Bounty of Okras.” Always wanted to try your hand at growing okra? Get seeds of beautiful heirloom okras including Silver Moon, Jade and other hard-to-find varieties. Recipes galore. Please register to attend.

— From 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 20, “Victory Gardening: The Cream of the Heirloom Crops.” The best of the best for your backyard or front yard gardening needs. Pick up a package of heirloom seeds to keep eating for victory from spring to fall. Lettuce turnip the beet! Please register.

— At noon Thursday, the Book Lunch gang chews on why “The Great Gatsby” is supposed to be great. Register to attend.

The famous last line to Gatsby is: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”

A far cry from: “Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.”

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