ROCHESTER — Children came to the Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library to create Mother’s Day cards on May 11 with the visiting ArtMobile.

The van parked outside the library, and organizers set up a table and a few sheets on the grass. Children used colorful paper, crayons, colored pencils, and a paint marker to create the cards.

Library Director Gail Roberts said the Rochester Cultural Council funded the Art Mobile’s visit.

“I was working in New Bedford when they created the Art Mobile and I used to see it going around the city of New Bedford,” said Roberts, “So it’s exciting for it to come here because it doesn’t come around here unless it’s specially requested.” 

The New Bedford Art Mobile is part of the One Book, Tri-Town series on “The Muralist” by Barbara Shapiro.

A historical fiction set in the 1940s, the book follows the mysterious disappearance of an American painter. The Art Mobile was included in the series to draw kids in, despite the lack of historical connection. 

The series began in February, and covers themes in the novel: the Depression, Holocaust, World War II, the New Deal and mural painting. Some of the events included public discussions of the novel, a film on New Deal art projects, and an afternoon with a historian dressed as Eleanor Roosevelt.

Art Mobile Supervisor Michael Cabral is on his third year working with the Art Mobile.

“It really gives the kids some structure,” said Cabral, “It gives them a chance to be creative, it gives them more opportunities to explore the art world and I think it connects people more to the city because it is run by the Art Museum.”

As a part of the series, people can meet Shapiro at her book talk and signing on May 19 at 2 p.m. at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library on 7 Barstow Street. 

Registration is suggested and seats are limited. Everyone who registers at their library has a chance to win a free signed copy of “The Muralist.”