Past Legacy Programs

America the Beautiful
America the Beautiful

The Monumental Photography of Clyde Butcher, presented by St. Paul Public Library.

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Anoka County Library's Live at the Library Day

On June 5, 2010, Anoka County Library had their own Live at the Library Day.  Events were scheduled at every branch, and included musical performances, fine arts and crafts demonstrations, hands-on activities, and a civil war era reenactment. Watch a video of the day here.

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Art for Life
Art for Life

The Minnesota Creative Arts and Aging Network (MnCAAN) is collaborating with MELSA to provide three-day arts residencies at 23 senior care centers in the metro area. MnCAAN assembled a roster of 10 teaching artists who have experience teaching older adults. Artist interns assist with the residencies and gain experience working with older adults. The care center staff selects an option suitable for their residents (storytelling, songwriting, dance/movement, creative writing, ceramics, painting).

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Art of Aging Exhibit

Four artists—ages 65 to 80—engage in a visual discourse about the enigmatic, disquieting experience of growing old—capturing in images what cannot be said in the language of words. Working in different media, they explore parallel themes: the indignity of aging bodies, the confrontation with mortality, the rush of time, the loss of identity, and the sense of being unseen and on-the-shelf.

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Celebrate Minnesota Libraries
Celebrate Minnesota Libraries

Libraries of Minnesota features stunning photographs by the popular Doug Ohman and library stories by seven of Minnesota’s best known writers of books for children and young adults.

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Faces of New America
Faces of New America

Artist's Statement (Jila Nikpay): "This collection of portraits of immigrant youth grew out of my fascination with the theme of cultural identity and belonging. I am drawn to working with these young people because of their flexibility and mystery. Through these portraits, I explore their complex rite of passage, which mirrors the evolving America identity."

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Minnesota Book Award Winners and Finalists Take Center Stage at Local Libraries
Minnesota Book Award Winners and Finalists Take Center Stage at Local Libraries

Minnesota Book Award Winners and finalists come to your local library.

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Shelf Life: Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) Fine Arts Responds to the Minneapolis Central Library Collections

Celebrate the emerging talent of MCAD students. All works are based on a semester-long class titled Working With the Collection, in which students researched maps, government documents, archive and display systems, illustrated children’s books, Minnesota history, and other printed matter available at Minneapolis Central.

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The Great Minnesota Read Together
The Great Minnesota Read Together

Thousands of Minnesotans celebrated The Great Minnesota Read Together at the Minnesota State Fair, Sept. 1. Activities for all ages were scheduled throughout the day. The stroller set enjoyed the Sing, Play, Learn with MacPhail sing-along and families received free CDs. Author/illustrator Debra Frasier presented a story time of her new book A Fabulous Fair Alphabet. Free books were distributed to kids courtesy of Qwest Pioneers.

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They Played for the Love of the Game – Adding to the Legacy of Black Baseball
They Played for the Love of the Game – Adding to the Legacy of Black Baseball

This touring exhibit traces the history of the Negro Baseball League and many outstanding African American players who contributed to the game in Minnesota.  The exhibition is hosted by MELSA member libraries and supported by Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

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