Upcoming Programs
This exhibit features professional photo artists, Leslie Kell, Lisa Zinna and LeRoy Lawson from the Creative Arts Society (CAS). CAS is an Austin-based, non-profit 501(c)(3) arts organization actively promoting the development of the “Artist in Everyone.” Established in 1999, the vision of this group is to inspire cultural enrichment, community participation, and respect for diversity.
Leslie Kell creates surreal artworks using an original technique that synthesizes her artistry in design and photography. She works with architectural forms to create virtual environments in which her photos are assembled into the spaces and patterns of visionary designs. The complex and layered works are visual encounters where a light beam or a fleeting reflection can ignite a spark as it passes between reality and illusion. The result reveals a place you might not recognize—but, somehow, have been waiting to visit. https://lesliekell.com/
Lisa Zinna creates “photoart” by reworking a digital image or creating a composite from multiple photos, including images of paper collages or original artwork. She plays with layering images and blending techniques in editing software until achieving a look that feels intriguing, balanced, and fresh. Austin and Texas are common themes in her work, and they might be layered with a photo of a paper word collage. The style is contemporary, the images are modern and bright, and they are sure to make you smile. You can find out more at http://thepurplelime.com/.
LeRoy Lawson attended Austin Community College Photography School and the Texas School of Professional Photography. In 1993, he established Lawson Studios, where he does portraits, model portfolios, head shots for professionals, event and product photography, and artwork photography. He uses 35mm, medium format, large format, and digital cameras. His love of nature has inspired him to photograph landscapes and wildlife throughout the U. S. and Europe.
Are you an artist interested in exhibiting your work at the library? Visit our Art at Laura’s page to find out more, see past shows, and submit your samples.
The Macklin Room at Westbank is closed from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
If you’d like to inquire about using a meeting room, please see our Meeting Room Policies.
Sheng Zhen Healing Qi Gong is a unique seated form of exercise developed by Master Li Junfeng. This gentle form of Qi Gong is ideal for loosening stiff joints, restoring focus and mental clarity, producing deep relaxation, and promoting overall health. The movements are easy to perform for all fitness levels, and are ideal for anyone with lower extremity difficulties, such as knee or hip pain. The meditative element of Sheng Zhen Healing Qi Gong also helps calm the mind, reduce stress, and balance emotions.
Thomas Najar is a licensed acupuncturist and certified Qi Gong instructor. He left a career in hi-tech to pursue a healing career and has been teaching Qi Gong and practicing acupuncture since 2016. A native of Wisconsin, he’s lived in Austin for the past 20 years and is passionate about healthy living through fitness, nutrition and meditation.
The Discovery program offers hands-on exploring for young learners in many different topics, including science, art, music, and more. Come each week and discover something new!
All ages welcome.
August:
- 8/31 Special GUEST – Laughter Yoga
September:
- 7th: Building with Rigamajig
- 14th: Snap Circuits
- 21st: Marble Art and Outdoor Play
- 28th: Music and Movement
New Book Club
New Book ClubLed by volunteer Camille Hoff, this book club reads and discusses books focusing on women’s perspective of the world. Their reading list includes literary fiction, non-fiction, and some classic titles. Join the group on the fourth Saturday of the month at 3 p.m. at Laura’s Library.
2019 Selections:
- March – A Wilderness Station: Selected Stories, 1968 – 1994 by Alice Munro
- April – Circe by Madeline Miller
- May – Women who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Clarissa Pinkola Estes
- June – The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
- July – Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
- August – A Life’s Work: On Becoming a Mother by Rachel Cusk
- September – Alias Grace: A Novel by Margaret Atwood
- October- Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Caroline Fraser
- November- Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson
- December- My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
- Xiaoqing Zhu, a PhD from Stanford and currently a tech lead in a Fortune 500 company, whose favorite side job is to teach and learn from her kindergartner.
- Wendy You, a college finance professor, who finds it more challenging to teach her five-year-old than to teach a college class.
- Celine Wright, an MBA and finance executive who worked for many large companies and had managed many difficult mergers and acquisitions projects, realized that her three young kids are the most difficult, but fun, projects of all.
- Lan Luan, a research professor of biomedical engineering at UT, who finds it extremely fun to guide and observe young children including her own 4-year-old son to grow physically and intellectually.
The Westbank Library has supporting materials for this program. Ask a staff member if you are interested.
To celebrate the new school year, enjoy 50% off all items in Jeanne’s Book Store at Westbank Library from Aug. 25th through 31st. In addition to popular fiction, the book store has vintage books perfect for fun DIY projects, and often has recommended school reading titles. Stop by and stock up for the fall.
The Westbank Community Library District offers a Sensory Storytime at the Laura Bush Library, Sundays at 11:00 a.m. These storytimes are for children ages 3 – 8 who are on the autism spectrum or are prone to sensory overload. A parent or caregiver is required to attend with their child. Participants will enjoy stories, songs, and a variety of sensory activities. Because this is a specialized storytime, participation is limited.
Interested in joining us? If you’re new to the group, please fill out and submit the registration form.
Get help with all of your technology from a tech-savvy teen. Bring cameras, laptops, questions about social media, apps, or anything else that comes to mind! Our tech-savvy teens will provide one-on-one help with all your technology questions.
@ Westbank Library on Sundays from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
@ Laura’s and Westbank Library every Tuesday of the month from 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
Are you a teen interested in volunteering? Check out the volunteer page for more information.
The Macklin Room at Westbank is closed from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
If you’d like to inquire about using a meeting room, please see our Meeting Room Policies.
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