FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Jamie Walden
jamie.walden@lamanlibrary.org
(501) 240-2327

Laman Library Announces ArtWeek Events

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (April 29, 2010) -- The William F. Laman Public Library System announced on Thursday five ArtWeek events, including one that spells free coffee and one that provides free concerts all summer.

The spectacular jazz group Serious Young Musicians of Ridgeroad Middle Charter School will perform at the Laman Plaza Thursday, May 13, at 7 p.m., setting the stage for a week of celebrating the arts. That evening will mark the first of a new recurring event called Thursdays on the Plaza, which will occur every second Thursday of the month and will feature different local musicians.

On Tuesday, May 14, local watercolorist Selma Blackburn will paint from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. next to Overdue Brew, which will offer free coffee to patrons who submitted suggestions for the name of the coffee shop during a naming contest on the library's Facebook page. Laman will also conduct a raffle, giving away an original Blackburn painting.

Esteemed local author Grif Stockley, who recently received the Laman Library Writers Fellowship, will offer an exclusive reading during "Literary Evening at THEA" from his work-in-progress on the 1959 fire at the Negro Boys Industrial School in Wrightsville. "Literary Evening at THEA" will occur Monday, May 17, from 6 - 8 p.m. at the THEA Foundation.

Also, Laman Library's Argenta Branch will hold a stanza extravaganza as part of ArtWeek. Everyone is invited to come read original writings, share a favorite poem or just enjoy a lyrical evening at Open Mic Poetry Night on Tuesday, May 18, at 6 p.m.

 And last but not least, Argenta Branch will host another artist demonstration during Third Friday Argenta Artwalk. This month, Laman will present a rare joint performance by ceramics artists Helen Phillips and her daughter Laura Phillips on Friday, May 21, from 5 - 8 p.m.

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