National Arts & Humanities Month @ HCPL: Painting, Writing, Needlecrafts & More

They say experience is the best teacher, so I like to think I have learned a thing or two in my many years of living, and one of those things is that creativity is very therapeutic for the troubles we face in life. I know there are all kinds of ways to deal with stress from yoga to reading and music to travel, but I have found that the creative process of art and writing brings me the most peace and therapy during times of stress and restlessness.

I became a writer at a younger age and found that to be a wonderful way of expressing my hopes, dreams, and worries, too. Later, as an adult, I dabbled in sketching, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, I discovered painting, and it really helped me deal with the isolation and worry that infused that time. It became a loved hobby and one that I looked forward to. So, the arts and humanities have become near and dear to my heart.

October is National Arts and Humanities Month (NAHM). It was established in 1993 to celebrate the importance of culture and the arts in America, and to encourage public participation and appreciation for the vital role the arts and humanities play in our society. While the arts focus on the creation of works such as paintings, music, and literature, the humanities provide a critical framework to interpret history, philosophy, and social values. When combined, they cultivate critical thinking, empathy, and a profound understanding of the human condition.

This October, I wanted to highlight some of the many creative programs for adults offered by Harris County Public Libraries. These programs bring people together to learn, create, and share their imagination and talent. From writing groups to easing into art, and crafting with recycled items, we have a little something for anyone who wants to be creative and share the experience with others.

Crafts

If you like crafting in any way, repurposing, and learning new ways to create something cool, here are some programs that you might just love:

1. Coffee & Coloring is a relaxing coloring program for adults at the Kingwood branch. They have plenty of coloring pages, pencils, and refreshments where adults can unwind and meet new people.
2. Make & Wake is a crafting program for adults at the Galena Park branch. They meet every month to do a different craft project while enjoying coffee or tea while they create.
3. Monthly Make and Mingle a hands on program where creativity meets technology is at the Lone Star College - Tomball Community Library, and each month, adults are invited to explore a new craft or DIY project using in-house maker equipment—including the Cricut, Laser Cutter, and 3D printers—alongside traditional crafting supplies. 
4. Go Green: Crafts a program where sustainability is our main focus it is at the Baldwin Boettcher Library, and they meet monthly to repurpose recycled items to go green all year long!
5. Adult DIY Workshop a creative and educational program themed for adults is at the Maude Smith Marks branch where they do decor and crafts themed for the season at hand. You can make your home festive and learn something new!

Needlecrafts: Knitting, Crochet, and More

For all those yarn buffs out there who love to work with cloth, yarn, and make cool things via crochet, knitting, and more, here are some wonderful programs that will give you a place to spin your yarn and chat at the same time:

     1. Stitch Chicks where they craft and chat focusing on knitting and crochet to make items to donate to local charities, it is at the Barbara Bush branch, where they focus on knitting and crochet and make items to be donated to local charities. How wonderful is that?!

     2. The Freeman Needlecrafters is for knit, crochet and any needle craft projects and is at the Clear Lake City-County Freeman Branch, where you can expand and enhance your skills in the art of needlepoint through small projects, long-term projects, and discussions.

     3. Knotty and Nice Club a two hour weekly craft project meeting at the Katy branch, where they meet weekly for two hours to work on individual yarn projects or crafts and community charity projects.

     4. Hand Sewing Class for adults that meet monthly to do different sewing projects at the La Porte branch, and they do different themed sewing projects to teach the craft and make it so much fun!

Painting

Now if getting into acrylic and watercolor paints sounds like something that you would love to try, here are a variety of programs that will let you do just that:

1. The Magic of Color is a relaxing weekly meeting where adults watercolor paint at the High Meadows branch.  They de-stress, unwind, and enjoy the almost-magical calm that comes from painting with watercolors.
2. Water You Painting where kids and tweens explore fun watercolor techniques at the Baldwin Boettcher branch. They have creative prompts and plenty of artistic freedom. It is for kids ages 7 to 13.
3. Young at heART: Watercolor Group where adults meet every Tuesday at the Lone Star College - Tomball Community Library to enjoy watercolor painting while visiting with fellow artists. 

Creative Writing & Journaling

We all have a story to tell, but some of us are more excited about telling it through art and the written word. If you like to write or would love to start, there are so many programs at libraries to encourage the writing process and share with other writers. Here are some that may just be the inspiration you need to start writing the book within you:

1. Journal Club! Where adults do prompts, visit with other writers and make friends at the Jacinto City branch.   Sometimes they do other creative crafts too!
2. Writers' Corner is at the Clear Lake City-County Freeman branch, where writers come monthly to share their work, learn more about the art of writing, and learn from others, too!
3. Journalling Group is a writing group that meets monthly at the Barbara Bush branch. Where writers meet to do prompts and share their work with others.
4. Word Crafters is a writing group that meets at the Baldwin Boettcher Branch and meets weekly to do prompts, share, encourage, and keep writing!

To see more creative programs at the library, go to our events page that has books, events, databases and more at hcpl.net

Of course, there are also lots of great books in our catalog and on shelves at your local Harris County Library that have information on arts, crafts, music, writing, and more. 

From the HCPL Collections 

Art

Art Is

Careers in the Arts

Crafting for Cat Ladies

JAPANESE PAPER CRAFT

Women Art Workers and the Arts and Crafts Movement

Pokémon Knitting

Not your Mama's Crochet

Learn How to Draw & Paint

Writers

How to Write A Novel in 20 Pies