Waldorf public library autumn art project

The Waldorf Public Library offered an “autumn art” project aimed at children ages 4 to 7. Rescheduled because of a conflict, it took place the afternoon of Friday, Nov. 1.

 

Cheryl Marquardt had the 6-seater table lined with a plastic tablecloth to keep the table itself clean. For the project, Marquardt had chosen autumn colors, red, orange, brown, yellow. There were bunched up Q-Tips rubber-banded together, and they made for excellent makeshift paint brushes; foam brushes were available for those bigger strokes. Serving as “canvas” for the project were sheets of paper printed with the leafless design of a tree. Ready for service were many, many, many wipes to keep little hands clean.   

 

Marquardt has been working at the Waldorf Public Library for the past 20 years. Before that she volunteered at the Janesville Library and sometimes still does for its story time hour. She also occasionally volunteered in Elysian, but now focuses her time on Waldorf. Said Marquardt, “Twenty years ago this job became available and I was so excited.” She provides a range of ideas why she loves the job: “ This past summer was wonderful; I did a bird display and got a lot of people coming through here.”

 

As Marquardt spoke, the children behind her were chatted among themselves. Then the children picked up the skin-safe paint and began brushing their palms with the sponge brushes. They took turns mashing their hands into the paper, then painted autumn leaves around the hand prints. A younger child, Alayna, produced an attractive fall sunset.

 

There were only four children present for the Autumn Project, said Marquardt, “Years ago I would have had two tables and 12 kids in here. It would be a total madhouse, and I just miss it.” As she said this, two boys came inside the library, but quickly exited. As the two left, one of them said, “Sorry ma’am; we aren’t here to do activities today.” About them Marquardt said, “Those two are in here every day checking out books. Right now they want to get in as much bike riding as they can because they know the snow is coming. Otherwise, they spend hours in here and I like that.”  When the young children were done with their artwork they helped clean up. The mess left behind wasn’t so bad, and neither were their paintings.