(360) 943-5001 - Fax (360) 586-6838 - 415 Tumwater Blvd. SW - Tumwater, WA 98501
Reference & Information line: 704-INFO (360-704-4636) in Olympia area or toll-free 1-800-562-6022.
TRL Web site: http://www.trlib.org

Media Contacts: Leanne Ingle, Communications Specialist, 704-4508; Susan Hanson, Communications Manager, 704-4507; Kristin Blalack, Yelm Community Librarian, 458-3374.

A visit from "the master," Leonardo da Vinci; artist slide talks; exhibits; even technology as an art: The arts are thriving at the Yelm Timberland Library. The library will host a variety of art-related programs during Yelm Arts Walk Week (May 10 through 14).

The library offers a number of art programs throughout the year as a partner in the Yelm Community Consortia ACT Grant. The partners include the Tacoma Art Museum, Yelm Timberland Library, Yelm School District and the Yelm Prairie Arts Association.

Monday, May 9, from 2 to 4 p.m., an Arts Walk prequel: "The Art of Technology Open House." Residents of Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston counties have local access to the world of electronic information resources through their own Timberland Regional Library branches. This event will feature staff demonstrations of some of the powerful databases for personal and professional research made available by Timberland Regional Library. The event will also celebrate the library’s new computer catalog system, installed in January. Light refreshments will be served.

May 10 through 14, hours will vary by location: "Yelm Arts Walk Week Exhibits." The Yelm Timberland Library, as well as Yelm schools, businesses and the Drew Harvey Theater will be displaying artwork by students and local artists.

Tuesday, May 10 from 7 to 8 p.m., for all ages: "Leonardo da Vinci Comes to Yelm." Playwright and actor Peter Donaldson performs his interactive presentation, "Leonardo da Vinci: Renaissance, Biography, Genius." As Donaldson takes on the costume and character of Leonardo da Vinci, he discusses the Renaissance period; sheds light on Leonardo’s life, theories and observations; and helps audience members discover the genius within them.

Wednesday, May 11, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., for all ages: "Meet the Artists!" Six Puget Sound artists who have been teaching visual arts in Yelm schools as Artists-In-Residence will present their artwork through a slide lecture and discussion. The artists are Buffie Clark, Becky Frehse, Kathy Gore-Fuss, Marie Hassett, Barbra Kates and Diane Kurzyna. Visitors to the library can also view an exhibit of selected work by each artist in the display cases in the lobby.

Thursday, May 12, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., for teens: "The Art of Mehndi: Decorate Your Hands or Feet." Mehndi is the traditional art of adorning the hands and feet with a paste made from finely ground leaves of the henna plant. Teens are invited to try out this temporary, pain-free form of body decoration under the guidance of Mehndi artist Joan Aitken. The workshop is limited to 15 participants. Pre-registration and a signed parental permission slip is required. Sponsored by the Friends of the Yelm Timberland Library.

Saturday, May 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., for ages 6 and up: "Art Day in Yelm with the Tacoma Art Museum." Staff from the Tacoma Art Museum will offer an afternoon of art making based on the museum’s exhibit, "Zero Karat: Jewelry in Non-Precious Materials." Drop by the library living room, explore, and create your own wearable art—a filigree jewelry pendant—using non-precious metal.

Call the Yelm Timberland Library at 458-3374 for more details on Yelm Arts Walk Week exhibits and events.

Timberland Regional Library serves the information, reading and lifelong learning needs of the Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston county public at 27 community libraries and 4 school-based cooperative library centers. The library system is funded by local property taxes. For information on any subject, the Thurston County public can telephone Timberland’s Central Reference Service librarians at 704-INFO (704-4636) or they can "Ask a Librarian" online at www.trlib.org. Anyone needing special accommodations to participate in a library’s program may contact the library 4 days in advance.

Revised 04/25/05