Inside Out artists at Oswestry Library for National Libraries Day

On Saturday 9 February 2013 artists from the Inside Out Art Group will be working in Oswestry Library on artwork celebrating libraries, books, stories and reading.  The day’s activities will be part of this year’s National Libraries Day.

Among those taking part will be local wood carver Jim Heath, who will be demonstrating how he makes wooden puppets, and how stories help bring them to life.

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for libraries, said:

“We are looking forward to celebrating the inspirational and creative role libraries play in people’s lives.  If you haven’t been for a while, come on in, take a look around and see what’s going on.  There really is something for everyone.”

Keith Barrow, Shropshire Councillor for Oswestry South, said:

“This event is a fine demonstration of the creative soul of the town, and the library is the perfect place to hold it.  What better inspiration is there than a place brimming with timeless stories and hidden knowledge?  It will be a great way to celebrate libraries and the creativity they inspire in our town.”

Diana Baur, of the Inside Out Art Group, said:

“It’s an opportunity for us to show how much libraries mean to artists.  Libraries are so much more than simply places to borrow books, they are places which encourage creativity and innovation.”

John Swogger, another artist with the Inside Out Group, agrees:

“Market communities like Oswestry need to foster creativity if they are going to be able to compete with larger towns.  Innovation and enterprise can give Oswestry a unique identity.”

The Inside Out Art Group has been helping to build creative links between artists and small businesses in Oswestry.

The artists will be exhibiting the results of their day’s creativity later in the year.