What's New!

As a California native and self-taught baker, current PPLD Artist in Residence Christine Yocum was introduced to baking at a young age by her father and grandmother. Imagine a former left tackle in college teaching his nine-year-old daughter the finer points of cookie-making. Those sweet moments birthed in her a lifelong passion for baking—in particular cookies—and the eventual opening of Art & Style Baking, an online gourmet cookie company specializing in hand-painted cookies.

Even now, when her hands are steeped in cookie dough, she can sense his tender nod of encouragement and approval. While her dad passed away before he could enjoy "the fruits of his labor," her tender-hearted daughter assures her that he would be proud.

Christine will host classes throughout the Library District about cookie painting, as well as open studio hours at Library 21c where you can watch her work and talk to her about her art.

Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information.

With over 400 votes, the winner of the 2016 Book Madness is....

I Am Malala
by Malala Yousafzai

Thank you so much for voting and come back next year!

PPLD's newest Artist in Residence is Diane Crawford, a contemporary artist with twenty years experience. Originally from the upper Midwest, she left careers in corrections, law enforcement and social work to pursue the arts. While primarily self-taught, she has attended watercolor workshops by nationally and internationally acclaimed artists. Diane has recently lived in Hawaii and Las Vegas, and her works reflect the influences of her life and experiences.

Her mediums of choice are watercolor and alcohol inks. Her painting style is unique. She paints free-hand without drawing her designs first and rarely uses paint brushes. She uses old credit cards and drinking straws on her alcohol inks, and a palette knife on her watercolors.

Diane will host classes throughout the Library District about alcohol inks, as well as open studio hours at Library 21c during which time you can watch her work and talk to her about her art.

Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information.