“Low Tide” painting by Diane Sawyer

Local painter Diane Sawyer will display her artwork in the Wotiz Gallery of the Milton Public Library, 476 Canton Avenue, Milton 02186 beginning May 9 to the end of the month.

Diane describes her work, “My pastels are done in very soft pastels on a sanded paper.  The sanded surface allows for colors to be layered over one another, creating a sense of space and atmosphere. Working with pastel is working with pure pigment.  The surface is touched as little as possible, except in areas ilke the sky, which is usually blended.  Layering the pastel pigments has allowed me to explore light and color, and how they change over distance.  I am particularly intrigued right now with water, how it reflects the sky, but also is transparent, with the objects below and above the surface combining in an ever-changing mosaic.  All of my work is essentially about light, the way it falls on the landscape.”

She received a BFA from the Boston Museum School and Tufts University in 1979, and has completed additional coursework at MassArt, Museum School, and Bennington College.  She has also studied with numerous artists.

Ms. Sawyer is the owner and principal of Sawyer Design Associates, LLC, a graphic design studio in Milton, MA and for more information go to www.sawyerdesign.net

Later this month on Thursday, May 14^th from 6-8 PM to meet Diane Sawyer.

For more information about displaying your art at the library, contact Jean Hlady, Adult Services Librarian, at (617) 698-5757.

On Friday, May 1 at 11 am, join the “First Friday Book Chat with Will” to talk about new book recommendations for great reads! It’s held every first Friday of the month at the Milton Public Library, 476 Canton Avenue, Milton, MA 02186.

For more events, visit www.miltonlibrary.org or call Jean Hlady, Adult Services Librarian at (617) 698-5757

Make a hand painted silk scarf!  On Thursday, April 30 at 7 PM, artist Laurinda O’Connor will offer a workshop on painting silk scarves just in time for Mothers Day.  Class size is limited to 20, so pre-registration is required! Look under Events at www.miltonlibrary.org and sign up for the 4/30 workshop or call Jean Hlady, Adult Services Library, at (617) 698-5757

The program is for adults only, and an $8 materials fee will be collected that evening at the Keys Community Room, lower level of the Milton Public Library, 476 Canton  Avenue, Milton 02186.  This event is sponsored by Suzette and David Standring and the Friends of the Milton Library.

Spring and poetry readings!   On Tuesday, April 28 at 7 pm, in honor of National Poetry Month, local poet Dorothy Morris will be joined by authors Sam Cornish and Dave Connolly.  All will read their poems and there will be discussion and a book signing of Ms. Morris’ new book called God Lights His Candles: Poems.   Come to Keys Community Room, lower level of the Milton Public Library, 476 Canton  Avenue, Milton 02186.  Visit the www.miltonlibrary.org   This event is sponsored by The Friends of the Milton Public Library or call Jean Hlady, Adult Services Library, at (617) 698-5757.

Music fills the afternoon air on Saturday, May 2 at 2 pm featuring a concert by the Quincy Choral Society. “Swingin’ into Spring” will feature songs by George Gershwin, Duke Ellington and Jimmy Van Heusen.  This free musical event will include many Milton residents so get in the mood for spring! Come to Keys Community Room, lower level of the Milton Public Library, 476 Canton  Avenue, Milton 02186.  This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Milton Library.

Visit the library website www.miltonlibrary.org or call Jean Hlady, Adult Services Library, at (617) 698-5757.

Enjoy a historic and illustrated look at firefighting in Milton! On Wednesday, May 6 at 7 pm, Eagle Scout Nathan Murphy and Lieutenant Brian Doherty will discuss their book, 20^th Century Firefighting as seen through the eyes of illustrator, William Hicks, Milton Fireman 1899-1942.  This program tells the story of Nathan’s great-great grandfather William Hicks, a talented artist who illustrated Milton firefighting history.  Brian Doherty is the President of the Milton Historical Society and has been an invaluable contributor to this project.

This free event will be held in the Keys Community Room of the Milton Public Library, 476 Canton Avenue, Milton, MA 02186, and is sponsored by The Friends of the Milton Public Library.

For more events, visit www.miltonlibrary.org or call Jean Hlady, Adult Services Librarian at (617) 698-5757

Travel the globe to meet nine unforgettable girls – striving beyond circumstance, pushing past limits.  The film documentary, “Girl Rising” will play on Monday, April 27, 2015 at 6:30 pm (promptly!) in the lower level Keys Community Room.  The Milton Public Library is located at 476 Canton Avenue, Milton 02186.  The movie is free and open to the public.  This is a program appropriate for both a young adult and adult audience.

Incredible stories are captured in a film about the strength of the human spirit and the power of education to change the world.  Girls featured include Ruksana, an Indian pavement-dweller, whose father sacrifices his own basic needs for his daughter’s dreams;  Sokha, an orphan who rises from a life in a Cambodian landfill to become a star student and accomplished dancer;  and Suma, who writes songs to help her endure forced servitude in Nepal and today crusades to liberate others.   More than a film, “Girl Rising” is the heart of a movement that is spreading around the world, promoting this powerful truth: educating girls in the developing world can transform families, communities, entire countries and break the cycle of poverty in just one generation.

Please join us for a very inspiring evening to view this excellent documentary, and bring your teen daughters along.  The film is rated PG13 for thematic material including disturbing images, and the running time is 103 minutes.  The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Milton Public Library, it will be held and for more information, contact Jean Hlady, Adult Services Librarian, at (617) 698-5757.

Come to a free art reception and meet painters Miriam Wotiz and her son Howard Lizotte, who have their artworks currently exhibited at the Milton Public Library.  The reception is open to all in the Wotiz Gallery of the Milton Public Library, 476 Canton Avenue in Milton on Thursday, April 16th from 6-8 PM.

Their exhibit will grace the gallery until the end of April.  Miriam Wotiz is known for her spontaneous and luminous paintings, and she interpets nature rather than imitating it.  Her work captures the fleeting effects of light and color and allow the viewer to participate in a visual experience.  She is a graduate of Brown University, and has exhibited her paintings in solo and juried shows throughout New England.

Her son, Howard, a resident of Provincetown, is also showing a few of his encaustic works (pigmented wax pieces) in this display.  Please come and join us for the free and open event.  For more information contact Jean Hlady, Adult Services Librarian, at (617) 698-5757.