by Ann Miller

Last Fall Mead Public Library's Book to Art Club moved from our Loft meeting room to the truly inspiring ARTery, John Michael Kohler Arts Center's makerspace. Below are the projects from our first four discussions. Being around the everchanging ARTery has brought out more artistry in all of us. It has also brought in new members.

Our "True Grit" discussion, part of the NEA Big Read, had an outstanding attendance of 22 people! It didn't hurt that Craig Grabhorn, Alison Loewen, and Fred Miller from JMKAC coordinated a wonderful tour of the Holy Jewel Home exhibit, home of The Original Rhinestone Cowboy, Roy Bowlin. Craig and Alison also provided us with everything needed to create our own dazzling cowboy projects. As you can see, we had a blast!

"The Patron Saint of Ugly" projects were collages influenced by the main character's unique birthmarks. "The Heart of Everything That Is: The Untold Story of Red Cloud, An American Legend" projects focused on lighter, whimsical versions of arrows and dreamcatchers to contrast with the dark and violent story. We ended 2016 with "Challenger Deep" and created scribble art with wire, embroidery floss, and watercolor paint that was inspired by the artwork in the book.

The Patron Saint of Ugly by Marie Manilla

The Heart of Everything That Is: The Untold Story of Red Cloud, An American Legend by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin