October 1, 2026 - October 30, 2026

When school teachers hang art at the Blue Hill Public Library, it is typically their students’ art for the April Student Art Show. This time, for the month of October, the library will host an exhibition, “Artful Inspirations,” featuring work by Blue Hill art teachers, including Margret Baldwin, Harbor School, retired; Kristy Cunnane, Bay School; Danyel Ferarri, George Stevens Academy, Elle Duncomb-Mills, George Stevens Academy, Katama Murray, Harbor School, Rebekah Raye, Blue Hill, Penny Ricker, Blue Hill Consolidated School, retired; and Melissa Rioux, George Stevens Academy.

The show will serve as inspiration for the library’s second Tape Art installation where students from area schools will visit the library for a workshop with artists Michael Townsend and Leah Smith on Thursday, October 1, and will learn how to make unique art out of masking tape. Participants will create this remarkable, temporary art directly on the walls of the library in response to their teacher’s artwork, creating a one of a kind mural.

The general public is also invited to get in on the fun that day by joining us for an afternoon workshop. From 3:00-5:00 p.m. people of all ages can try their hand at the medium, adding to the work that will have been completed by the students earlier in the day.

Following the workshop, everyone is welcome to join us for a special art reception and the Friends of the Library Volunteer Appreciation event from 5:00-7:00 p.m. to see the creativity of our community and celebrate our volunteers, while enjoying snacks and refreshments. President of the Friends, Ann Pladson, will award the annual Elvira Bass Volunteer Award at 6:00 p.m. and volunteers in attendance will have the opportunity to sign special book plates that will be displayed inside new books entering the library’s collection. And to wrap up the day, all are welcome to join Michael and Leah for a lecture, slide show, and Q&A on the history of Tape Art at 7:00 p.m.

Tape Art is a street art collective that uses adhesive tape to create large-scale, temporary murals on the sides of buildings. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, they regularly hit the road to make art in towns and cities around the United States and abroad. Over the last 35 years they have made over 500 murals and thousands of smaller tape drawings, all while sharing the medium in schools, community centers, and hospitals.

The show will be available for viewing starting October 2, subject to the Howard Room meeting schedule. The Tape Art portion of the show is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Library. For more information contact the library at 374-5515.