Last summer, young visitors to Whitman County’s rural libraries discovered more than literary wonder. “Art Bars” stocked with tools like canvases, paintbrushes, clay, watercolors, construction paper, and more gave young artists a chance to explore their creativity.
Offering this type of opportunity for recreation and discovery beyond books is nothing new for the Whitman County Rural Library District — thanks to a team of volunteers at Friends of Whitman County Library. This nonprofit helps the district coordinate programming, advocacy, and funding across 14 rural branches spanning 2,200 square miles. Their goal is to see the district’s libraries grow more connected to each other and the rural communities they serve. Through the years, they’ve discovered many ways to bring this vision to life, including sponsoring summer reading clubs, children’s story time programs, facility improvements, and literacy awareness campaigns.
A $10,000 grant awarded to Friends of Whitman County Library made the “Art Bar” program possible. Library “Art Bars” not only invested in the creativity of youth but also uplifted local artisans who offered their expertise through workshops and tutorials.
For one grandmother and her three granddaughters, an “Art Bar” at the Colfax Library transformed an ordinary trip into a treasured memory.
The girls expressed that they rarely were able to do art in school anymore. The quartet were so happy to have the chance to explore a creative outlet for the summer together. The Innovia-sponsored Art Bar allowed generations of this family to connect through art and quality time spent together, where stories were shared and memories made."
