Special Events
For teens in Grades 6-12
All programs this fall will be virtual. Once you register, you will receive the link to the online event. Questions can be directed to the Teen Services Department at teens@piscatawaylibrary.org.
Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) - CSEdWeek is an annual program dedicated to inspiring K-12 students to take interest in computer science.
Celebrate with us!
We will be offering an Introduction to Micro:bits for students in Grades 4-6 on Wednesday, December 9 | 4:00-4:45pm. For students in Grades 7-12, we will be offering Code Your Own Web App on Wednesday, December 9 | 3:30-5:00pm and Machine Learning With Scratch on Thursday, December 10 | 4:00-5:00pm.
To learn more and register for these events, please click here. Questions can be directed to teens@piscatawaylibrary.org.
Guided Painting - Thursday, December 17, 3:30-4:30pm
Lynn Schwartz of Art Experiences NJ is back! We will be recreating and customizing the pictured snowy birches.
Tell Your Story: Teen Arts Program Series
For teens in Grades 6-12
All events will take place virtually (a link will be provided via email a few days in advance of each event).
Book Making - 2 sessions - Saturday, September 26, 1:00-2:30pm and Saturday, October 3, 1:00-2:30pm
Learn several methods for mini bookmaking! In this two-workshop series, artist Will Kaplan and instructors from Frontline Arts will teach methods including accordion folds, Japanese stab binding, and the snake book. NOTE: By registering, you are committing to attending both sessions.
About our Presenters : Frontline Arts, formerly the Printmaking Center of New Jersey, is dedicated to connecting and building communities through socially engaging arts practices rooted in papermaking and printmaking. Frontline Arts supports in-house and mobile educational programs and provides a communal space with shared equipment and space for printmakers and papermakers across the State of New Jersey and larger regions. The organization also offers community-building events, a variety of artist studio services, and groundbreaking exhibitions in the newly refurbished second-floor gallery.
Artist Will Kaplan combines different mediums, techniques, and text to probe boundaries. This New Jersey native grew up exploring highway hemmed nature preserves; tensions between the organic and the human-made manifest in his work. By meshing printmaking methods, collage, drawing, and writing, Kaplan manipulates fixed elements to suggest individual and collective responses to the power structures which shape our daily lives. After graduating Skidmore College in 2017, Kaplan has made a new home in New York City, a rich setting in which to explore these themes.
Calligraphy - Wednesday, October 7, 3:00-4:30pm
Join guest artist Laiyan Yang to learn more about the art of calligraphy! You will get hands-on experience with writing and using calligraphy tools.
About our Presenter : Laiyan Yang is an accomplished and award winning teacher focusing on drawing, painting, traditional brush painting and calligraphy, Asian folk art, design, sculpture and craft.
Kinetic Sculpture - Tuesday, October 13, 3:00-4:30pm
Doug Baldwin (Head of Technology, Piscataway Public Library) will be teaching participants how to create 
their own kinetic sculpture- using common household items! Everyone’s sculpture will look different based on their own creativity, but be sure to include a moving element!
About our Presenter : Doug Baldwin is a librarian, informal educator, presenter and advocate who is passionate about developing and delivering hands-on, interactive learning experiences for those of all ages. He is a principal organizer of NJ Makers Day, a statewide showcase event highlighting innovative play, entrepreneurship, making and STEM which drew 85,000+ residents across 300 hosting locations in 2019. His program initiatives have been recognized for their impact and excellence from the NJ State Legislature, New Jersey Library Association (NJLA) , and American Association of School Librarians. He is a recipient of the NJLA Library Service Award and was most recently named a 2017 Library Journal Mover and Shaker for Advocacy. Presently, Doug serves as Head of Technology at the Piscataway Public Library.
Paint and Sip - Thursday, October 22, 3:00-4:30pm
Join Teen Services Librarians Kate-Lynn and Erica for an afternoon of painting with acrylics on canvas! We will be recreating and customizing the included image.
Air Dry Clay Workshop - Wednesday, October 28, 3:00-4:30pm
Use air dry clay to create. This session will cover how to make mini figurines, coil bowls, and pinch pots!
Presented by Teen Services Librarians, Kate-Lynn Brown & Erica Krivopal
Photography - Monday, November 2, 3:00-4:30pm
Guest artist Matthew Mahoney will lead a session about digital photography! Use your smartphone, tablet, camera, or other device to complete the photo scavenger hunt before the program! We will talk about composition, editing, and more!
About our Presenter : Matt Mahoney studied photography and environmental studies at NYU and Bennington College in Vermont. He is interested in increasing people’s awareness of their local ecosystems through artistic practice.
Guided Painting - Tuesday, November 10, 3:00-4:30pm
Join Lynn Schwartz of Art Experiences NJ for a guided painting! We will be recreating and customizing the pictured Galaxy Forest.
About our Presenter : Lynn Schwartz was born and raised in Morris County, New Jersey. As long as she can remember she has loved drawing, painting, and crafting. She left college after a few semesters to pursue a career opportunity. After spending years in the workforce, the death of her father drove her back to school full time to finish her AFA. It was during this time that her passion for art and creating was reignited. Currently Lynn paints daily in her home studio, and holds children’s and adult workshops at various libraries as well as hosting Girl Scout troops and private parties. Lynn has also been very active with the Special Needs ministry at her church as well as being an Executive Board Member of her town’s SEPAC (Special Education Parents Advisory Council). She builds her workshops in such a way that all are welcome and able to participate, with an emphasis in inclusion for all students.
Registration is closed.
Paper Quilling Workshop- Tuesday, November 17, 3:00-4:30pm
Want to learn how to paper quill? Learn how to make a cool mandala design using paper!
Presented by Teen Services Librarians, Kate-Lynn Brown & Erica Krivopal
Registration is closed.
Tell Your Story: Teen Arts Program Series - FINAL EVENT - Thursday, December 3, 3:30-4:30pm
All students that participated in at least one program in the series will have the opportunity to showcase their work in a virtual exhibit.
Artist Matthew Mahoney will lead us in discussion as we reflect on the series and discuss the different art forms. There will also be another digital photography session!
Eligible students will receive an invitation by email. Questions can be directed to the Teen Services Department at teens@piscatawaylibrary.org.