The Library Project, funded in part from an individual artist’s grant from The Broward Cultural Division, consisted of three components. Number one was the implementation of the mural. The second was a civic engagement, a series of children’s workshops. The third was a public exhibition to showcase the children’s artwork and to unveil the mural.


Children have incredible imaginations, they are so uninhibited, and their minds overflow with creativity. My goal was to make them feel like they were involved in the process of designing the mural, and learn to express themselves while learning about art. With this in mind the kids were invited to submit their sketches and ideas for consideration in the design of the large mural. They came up with some fabulous ideas. Every day, when they returned to the library, they witnessed the progress of the work, as all the characters in the mural came to life. The children also had the opportunity to create a mini mural project of their own. All the kids had a chance to create; they took turns painting a large canvas, taking their inspiration from the mural.


The workshops consisted of drawing, collage, color theory & painting. Local artist were invited to participate in the project. Timothy Liestner did a spectacular job teaching the students a watercolor class. Rod Appleton shared his contemporary style with the children and they all had a blast creating art pieces from sand, salt and concrete. Kathy Gilles came in and did story time; this inspired the kids to draw some fabulous pieces based on old time classics. Michele Guarino also gave very generously of her time and taught the children about photography, they created book covers and she engaged them in a really exciting photo shoot. 

The exhibition and unveiling was a huge success as over 200 people from the community stopped by to celebrate. The library staff was thrilled with the results. Jeanne Jones, Youth Services Librarian of the Richard C. Sullivan Public Library, said, ”Our children were privileged to work with Laflamme; the library is honored to display her mural. I feel so grateful to be involved in this project.” Library Director, Rick Sterling, said that, after the mural is completed, he hoped to get a grant to start an art-education program at the library. “With any kind of luck, the mural will be a first step to get the kids involved with art and creating.” As a result of the workshops the library staff really saw a difference in the children’s behavior. They all agreed that an after school program needed to be in place to help the kids focus.

On a personal note, working on this project has been a very enlightening. Creating a lasting piece of public art for an entire community to enjoy is unbelievingly rewarding, but even more so, was working with the children. They were incredible, so spontaneous, their creativity and their excitement to learn was amazing. I feel that I have perhaps inspired a new community of young artists. “It was an experience all the children can take with them”