Wednesday, August 19, 2015

September Book Sale

BOOK SALE
September 4th & 5th
Friday, September 4th
12:00pm - 4:00pm
Saturday, September 5th
10:00am - 4:00pm
Early Bird Preview
Friday, September 4th  ||  10am-12pm
$10 admission

It's almost time for the third Friends of the Library Book Sale this year!

On Friday, September 4th, there will be an Early Bird/Dealer's Preview from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. At the Preview, buyers can have first pick of the books for an entrance fee of $10. After 12:00pm on Friday, there will not be an entry fee. On Saturday, September 5th, the sale will take place from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

This will be the Friends' third sale in the "Book Cellar", the new location in the lower level of the Kent Public Library. The new "Book Cellar" can only accommodate 49 people at a time, so buyers who come at an especially busy time may have to wait their turn to enter.  At prior book sales there has been a steady stream of over 200 customers, but since they did not come all at the same time no one has yet had to wait.  Buyers will have a choice of two entrances, the front library entrance or the back lobby Book Nook entrance which faces the back parking lot and leads directly to the Book Cellar/Program Room area.

Almost 5,000 gently used books will be for sale at bargain prices. These newly donated books have been carefully sorted through, and only the best will be offered for sale at this location. The Friends have received several major donations, and the shelves of the "Book Cellar" have been completely restocked. At this sale,  readers will find books on all topics, with unusually large sections of music, science fiction, and children's books.  Most hardcovers are priced at $2.00 each, with paperbacks at $.50 each or 3 for $1.00.  Buyers are encouraged to bring their own bags or boxes to carry the books home.  The Friends' canvas  bags will also be available, at $10.00 each empty or $25.00 filled with books of your choice, excluding special books.

Can't wait for September?  Are you going away for the Labor Day weekend?  The Kent Library's "Book Nook" is open throughout the year on Saturdays from 10 to 2:30, and Wednesdays from 10 to 6.  It has just celebrated its tenth anniversary offering high quality books at very low prices. The "Book Nook" has also been completely restocked. The Friends will  be holding a final big sale in the "Book Cellar" on November 6th and 7th. 

Volunteers for both the "Book Nook" and the big book sales are always needed.  Please contact the library at 845-225-8585 if you are able to help.

Monday, August 3, 2015

August Exhibit

Paul Kmiotek
Kmiotek Art Works
Award Winning Pen and Ink Artwork by Paul Kmiotek

"Like most kids, I started drawing at a very young age. One of my earliest memories is of drawing a picture of my father with his hair straight up and flat on the top (the epitomy of style back then). I continued to draw (mostly cars and monsters) through high school, and into the years following graduation (mostly flyers for my band at the time – The Torpedos). But in all of that time, I’d never taken any formal lessons. I consider this to be a clear case of nature over nurture, as my father is an incredibly gifted watercolor artist.

After high school (and a couple of misspent years in college) I began my first career – as a draftsman – and after several years toiling at that, I began my second career – as a zookeeper. During this time, my talents were utilized by my employers – illustrating operations manuals for the former, designing enclosures, graphics, and t-shirts for the latter – and usually for very little money. Recently, I decided that maybe it was time to start up Kmiotek Art Works, and try to put my alleged talents to work for myself.

Although I’ve drawn a few cityscapes, the subjects of most of my artwork are naturalistic – either animals or landscapes; themes that appeal to my lifelong love of nature. I’ve worked in several media; pastels (too smudgy), watercolor (too runny), pencil (not dark enough), etc., but I like pen and ink the best. Although it’s not a very forgiving technique, I’m drawn to its permanence and depth.

I consider myself to be kind of an illusionist. By simply scribbling, in a process of tightly controlled chaos, on a blank piece of paper with a fine-point pen, I can trick the observer’s eye into seeing what I want it to see; a jaguar peering from beneath a bush, a barn falling into disrepair, two men chatting on the street, etc.

My work has been displayed, among other places, at the Ridgewood Art Institute, the Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum, the Belle Levine Art Center, The Flywheel Gallery, and the Lake Carmel Arts Center. I’ve been commissioned by the Wildlife Conservation Society, Aerco International, The Komodo Dragon Species Survival Plan, and The Wildlife Care Center of Belize.  I currently live in the Hudson Valley with my beautiful wife and two awesome children."

 
Some of my artwork can be viewed on my website: 
www.sites.google.com/site/kmiotekartworks  

and on Etsy: 
www.etsy.com/shop/KmiotekArtWorks
 
To keep up on events, like me on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/kmiotekartworks