MATTAPOISETT— The New Bedford Art Museum’s Art Mobile visited the Mattapoisett Free Public Library, and held a free event for children on Saturday, May 25.

Art educators Lindsey Merolla and Tania Vasconcelos arrived in the signature purple van, equipped with art supplies including glue, paper, markers, and scissors.They set up a space on the front lawn of the library for children to do arts and crafts.

Merolla said that flowers were the theme of the day. Children colored in paper cut-outs of flowers and glued them to straw and popsicle stick stems. 

Lynn Travers brought her two-year-old daughter Aria to participate in the event. “I think it’s good to have these events in the community so kids can be creative, and meet other kids,” she said.

Ellie Brooks brought her 5-year-old nephew, Sael. She said that she is always impressed when she sees the events put on by the library.

This event was part of the “One Book, Tri-Town” event series based on B.A. Shapiro’s novel “The Muralist.” Though the art event has little connection to the book’s thematic content, as other events have, it was included to draw a more diverse age range into the series. 

The New Bedford Art Museum has two Art Mobile vehicles. From July 1 to August 16 they will visit 20 sites in the area to bring the arts to children in New Bedford. The Art Mobile only came to Mattapoisett (and previously to Marion and Rochester) at the libraries’ request.  

This is Lindsey Merolla’s second year as an art educator in the program. She said the most rewarding part of the job is the relationships she builds with children, some of whom become “regulars” attending several events throughout the summer. Visit newbedfordart.org/artmobile/ for more information and a schedule of events.