Neighborhood Centered Programs
BCLA’s daily programs and services are developed in conversation with our neighbors. The children’s and adult library focuses on multiple forms of literacy and access to technology while opening pathways and resources for engaged, creative learning and life skills. Our arts and culture programs in our Neighborhood Print Shop and Bathhouse Ceramics Studio and our Artist in the Library Series and Resident Artist in Residence are currently suspended while our building is being renovated (see below for details on these programs). Along with a traditional lending collection, we offer an innovative art lending collection and a growing community alternative lending collection. .
If you have an idea for a program or are interested in a partnership please contact, Rachel Brehm.
Arts + Culture
our ART PROGRAMS ARE SUSPENDED UNTIL OUR BUILDING RENOVATIONS ARE COMPLETE. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS CHANGE, PLEASE CONTACT VICKI VARGO. SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS ON THESE PROGRAMS THAT WILL BE RETURNING IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
Braddock Carnegie Library’s Arts and Culture programs engage regional youth and adults in a practice of self-guided, peer supported, community rooted learning. Our methodology depends upon leadership by BCLA users and shifting positions between teachers and learners, building from the knowledge and experience in the room. Technical skills are developed alongside a creative criticality focused on understanding and dismantling the systemic racial, health and economic oppressions present in our neighborhood. We work to build artistic practices that are rooted in skills and expand an individual's mode of self determination, expression, communication and critical engagement with their communities.
We work alongside individuals, organizations and schools to create quality resources, and curriculum to complement existing programming and missions.
Neighborhood Print Shop
The NPS is a screen printing and design teaching and learning studio that offers resources to realize hand pulled screen printing projects from start to finish. The NPS consists of a light table, a washout sink, six various sized hinge clamp printing stations, a 4-color t-shirt press, heat guns, heat press, three Apple computers with Adobe and Open Source design software and group work space. The NPS is led by teaching artists, print makers, and designers who prepare all supplies and resources, schedules, curriculums—for both workshops and individual use—while maintaining the rigor and quality of the space. The space is ALIVE, filled with examples of the many kinds of uses and voices that the print shop welcomes.
Bathhouse Ceramic Studio
The BCS is a ceramic studio that provides multiple access points to the ceramic arts for all ages. The BCS has professional equipment including: eight wheels, slab roller extruder, clay mixer, electric kiln, high fire gas kiln, a wide selection of glazes and canvas covered work tables. The BCS is led by ceramicists and teaching artists who maintain the space to industry standards, fire the kiln and prepare the clay and glazes.
Artist in the Library Series and Resident Artist in Residence
The Artist in the Library Series features a regional artist every two months. The exhibition becomes a part of the every day life of the BCLA and is celebrated with a conversation and receptions with the artist. There have been over 25 exhibitions, for many artists their first solo show. Past artists have included: Victoria Hruska, Ashante Josey, Michael Santiago, D.S. Kinsel, Morgan Overton, and many more.
The Resident Artist in Residence (RAR) is an ongoing program (based on funding availability) that creates an opportunity with resources for a resident of the BCLA service area to create art within their neighborhood, utilizing the resources and community of the BCLA. Past RARs have included: Tyrone Brown, James Kidd, LaToya Ruby Frazier and Deavron Dailey.
People gathered at the reception for Michael Santiago’s exhibition, Stolen Land, Stolen Futures.