Charleston Leader

Friday, May 12, 2023 - 11:48

(Charleston, W. Va.) – The City of Charleston Office of Public Art, with support from the City of Charleston Parking Department, will host a free character design workshop for elementary and middle school students on May 13 at 11 a.m. in the John L. and Maude Dickenson Craft Room located on the 4th Floor of the Main Library branch of the Kanawha County Public Library (KCPL). The workshop is part of KCPL’s Mental Health Awareness initiative which encourages creativity which can increase positive emotions and lessen feelings of anxiety and depression.

“When a child’s imagination finds its way to a piece of paper it can be an amazing thing,” said Jeff Pierson, Director of Public Art for the City of Charleston.  “We are hoping to tap into that creativity with this workshop and use it as we create a new piece of public art for our Capital City.”

Led by Public Art Director Jeff Pierson and artist Wes Eary, the workshop will explore the whimsical world of character creation and design.  This workshop is designed for children and accompanying adults. Work created through the workshop will serve as inspiration for an upcoming Summers Street mural project which will be located near the library SkyBridge.“

We are excited for this opportunity to merge public art with our wayfinding needs by bringing attention to the library’s entrance from within the Summers Street Parking Garage,” said Terri Allen, Parking Director for the City of Charleston.  

“The response to our renovated Main Library from children and families who visit us is amazing,” said Terri McDougal, Head of Children’s Services, KCPL. “We love involving our children in activities that showcase their creativity and positive view of the world and look forward to their creations contributing to this newest public art in Charleston.”

Original Source Can Be Found Here.