MATTAPOISETT — After some inspiration from Art Lab Director Benares Angeley, children ages four through ten used their imaginations to create outer space-themed banners out of fabric and various art supplies at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library on Friday, July 26 at 1 p.m.

Angeley began with a reading of “A Kite for Moon” written by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple and illustrated by Matt Phelan. The book tells the story of a young boy who looked up to the moon from a distance, and eventually became an astronaut and visited it. 

The event kept with this year’s summer reading theme of outer space exploration. For Angeley, it was more about the creative process, and letting kids express themselves, than the actual finished product. 

Starting with a blank fabric banner, children used markers, paper, thin sheets of foam, beads, and other art supplies to create space-themed images of their own design. Once finished, children attached wire hangers to their banners with help from Angeley, and Art Lab Assistant Felicia Aguiar.

Aguiar said that the events like this are good for children because they “get to express their artistic side and sometimes meet other children.”

She added that Art Lab events serve as a good introduction to the library for first-time visitors.

Doreen Philie brought her sons Samuel, 5 and Dominic, 7 to create their own banners. She said that they attended because her sons love art, and attending library events. 

Space is available for the Art Lab’s final 2019 summer camp session titled “Take Flight” from Aug. 19 to 22. Angeley said that projects will be based on “anything with wings” from airplanes to butterflies. Registration for the four day camp costs $150. The camp will be from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30  p.m. each day. Register online at https://www.childrensartlab.com.

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