2026 Graffiti Art Contest Winners

This year nine paintings were created  during the Graffiti Art Workshop held here on June 27; two of which were done together as a diptych. The paintings have been on display in the teen area for 7 weeks for viewing and voting. 77 votes were cast in 3 categories: Originality; Best Use of Color; and Best Design. Emily Anderson received the most votes for Best Design. Ava Cammarata received the most votes for Best Use of Color. Sammy Hersey and Caroline Mulvehill received the most votes for Originality, for their diptych. Gift cards to Art Supplies Wholesale were awarded (funded by the Friends of the Library). If the artists allow, all paintings will be on view in the teen area until the end of August.

Plant a Seed, Read! Summer Programs 2026

Our 2026 teen summer reading challenge starts Thursday, June 18, and runs for 7 weeks with weekly prize drawings.

Summer Reading Challenge on Beanstack
Thursday, June 18 through Sunday, August 9
Enter the challenge any time before August 9. Earn badges by reading books, attending programs, and/or writing book reviews.
Badges are your entries into the weekly prize drawings. The more badges you earn, the more chances you have of winning a prize.

Click here for the teen summer program brochure.

   June Programs  

Collage Workshop
Thursday, June 18, 6:00 to 7:30 PM
Create your own unique collage from discarded magazines, paper scraps, and book pages. Make a mood or inspiration board to help focus your goals, or simply create a fun piece of art to take home. For adults & teens ages 13+. Registration required. 

Henna Tattoos with Mandy from Wicked Good Henna

Wednesday, June 24, 1:30 to 5:00 PM
It’s not summer without a Henna Tattoo! Come chill to some beats, meet friends, and leave with a wicked good henna tattoo. Open to all ages. No registration required.

Youth Book Sale for Children & Teens
Wednesday, June 24, Noon to 5:00 PM
Stock up for the summer at this one-day-only book sale. Organized by the Friends of the Library. 

Graffiti Art Contest Workshop & Show  

Monday, June 29, 2:00 to 3:30 PM

Try your hand at graffiti! We'll supply the paint and a 30x40 inch canvas. All artwork will be displayed in the teen area for the 7 weeks of our summer reading program. Artwork may be voted on by visitors to the exhibit. Prizes will be awarded for Best Design, Best Use of Color, and Originality. For teens entering grades 6-12 in Fall 2026. Registration required. Raindate: Mon. June 29, 2:00pm to 3:30pm.

   July Programs  

Kokedama Workshop
Wednesday, July 1, 4:00 to 5:00 PM
Learn about this Japanese planting style and create your own miniature Kokedama. Led by staff from the New England Tower Hill Botanical Garden. For teens entering grades 6-12 in Fall 2026. Registration required.

Dungeons & Dragons Painting Workshop
Tuesday, July 14, 4:30 to 5:30 PM
Paint a D&D inspired scene set within the shape of a D20 dice. Led by Lara from Pop Up Art School. For teens entering grades 6-12 in Fall 2026. Registration required. 

Felted Flower Patches Workshop
Saturday, July 18, 2:00 to 3:30 PM
Needle felt flower patches using wool and simple felting techniques. Use the finished piece as a patch on a jacket, or frame it for a unique piece of art. Led by Lara from Pop Up Art School. For teens entering grades 6-12 in Fall 2026. Registration required.

Mushroom Nightlight Workshop
Thursday, July 23, 3:15 to 4:30 PM
Create a nightlight in your own individual color scheme. Led by Mandy from Wicked Good Henna. For teens entering grades 6-12 in Fall 2026. Registration required.

Play Mini-Golf in the Library!
Saturday, July 25, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Play 10 holes of mini-golf on the first floor of the library. For all ages. No registration required.

  August Programs  

Animal World Experience
Wednesday, August 5, 5:30 to 7:45 PM
Matt Gabriel is back with more amazing animals for you to meet! Matt has introduced audiences to hedgehogs, frogs, snakes, a kinkajou named Boo, and even a small alligator. We can't wait to see what he brings this time. Presentation will be followed by petting opportunity. Open to all ages. No registration required.

Botanical Block Printing Workshop
Thursday, August 6, 3:00 to 4:30 PM
Learn how to carve a design into a block and create ink prints. Led by artist, Tif Farmakis-Day. For teens entering grades 6-12 in Fall 2026. Registration required.

2025 Graffiti Art Contest Winners

Eight paintings were created at this summer's Graffiti Art Workshop held on June 21. Since then the paintings have been on display in the teen area for viewing and voting. 54 people cast 3 votes each. One vote in each of these categories: Originality; Best Use of Color; and Best Design. Jessie Bolishetti received the most votes for Best Design. Livia Chen received the most votes for Best Use of Color. Grayson Moon received the most votes for Originality. Gift cards to Art Supplies Wholesale were awarded (funded by the Friends of the Library). If the artists allow, all paintings will be on view till the end of August.

Color Your World - Summer 2025

Our 2025 teen summer reading challenge starts Saturday, June 21, and runs for 7 weeks with weekly prize drawings. This year you may choose a free book just for registering (while supplies last). The more you read & log your books, write review(s), or attend free library workshops, the greater your chance of winning a prize as each badge you earn in the challenge counts as an entry in the prize drawings. 

Enter the reading challenge on Beanstack.

See the summer brochure of programs here.

 

Attend a teen program to earn its badge in Beanstack. Here are a few:

Graffiti Art Contest Workshop

Saturday, June 21, 1:00 to 3:00 PM

Try your hand at graffiti! We'll supply the paint and a 30x40 inch canvas. All artwork will be displayed in the teen area for the 7 weeks of our summer reading program, and may be voted on by visitors to the exhibit. Prizes will be awarded for Best Design, Best Use of Color, and Originality. 

 For teens entering grades 6-12 in Fall 2025. 

Registration required.

 

Henna Tattoos with Wicked Good Henna

Wednesday, June 25, 1:30 to 5:00 PM
It’s not summer without a Henna Tattoo. Mandy will be here for 3.5 hours doing henna tattoos. Come chill to some beats, meet friends, and leave with a wicked good henna tattoo. Open to all ages.
No registration required. 

 

Youth Book Sale

 Wednesday, June 25, Noon to 5:00 PM
 Stock up for the summer at this one-day-only book sale.

 Organized by the Friends of the Library.

 

 

Minecraft Makery: 

3D Modeling & Coding

Thursday, June 26, 3:00 to 4:30 PM

If you love Minecraft, this workshop is for you. Using CAD software,you will manipulate 3D shapes to transform them into a fearsome Creeper. Continue to access your project and show off at home, or import into Minecraft! Led by staff from the Rhode Island Computer Museum. For ages 10 and up. Registration required. 

Create Mexican Tin Art

Wednesday, July 9, 3:00 to 4:30 PM

Dive into the vibrant tradition of Mexican tin art, and craft a heart-inspired design. Learn techniques for cutting, scoring and shaping thin sheets of metal. Finish your tin art with bold bright colors. Led by Lara from Pop Up Art School. For ages 11 and up. Registration required.

 

Make a Drippy Sky Painting

Thursday, July 17, 5:30 to 7:00 PM

 Paint a pastel sunset with a star-filled sky oozing over top.  Learn how to paint colorful clouds and a celestial sky. Led by Lara from Pop Up Art School. For ages 11 and up. Registration required.

Summer Peek

 Our 2025 summer reading theme 

is: Color Our World.

There's already a colorful roster 

of workshops lined up for you - 

take a peek.

Registration opens June1.

Workshop titles are linked to our Calendar of Events where you will find more information.

Graffiti Contest Workshop 

Saturday, June 21, 1:00—3:00 PM

Try your hand at graffiti. We'll supply the paint and canvas. Your artwork will be displayed in the teen area during the 7 weeks of our summer reading program, and may be voted on by visitors to the exhibit. Prizes will be awarded for: Best Use of Color, Best Design, & Originality. 

Henna Tattoos 

Wednesday, June 25, 1:30—5:00 PM

Henna Artist Mandy Roberge from 

Wicked Good Henna returns! Mandy will be here 

for the afternoon doing henna tattoos; 

first come, first served,

 maximum of one tattoo per person. 

No registration required. For ages 6 to 99.

 

 

3D Modeling & Coding:

Minecraft Makery 

Thursday, June 26, 3:00—4:30 PM

Get your pickaxe and shovel ready, & get crafting! If you love Minecraft, this workshop is for you. Using the Blocks CAD software, you will manipulate 3D shapes to transform them into one of your favorite Minecraft characters. Led by staff from the Rhode Island Computer Museum.

Create Mexican Tin Art 

with Pop Up Art School

Wednesday, July 9, 3:00—4:30 PM

Celebrated for its bold colors and intricate designs, 

dive into the vibrant tradition of hojalata, 

Mexican tin art, and craft a heart-inspired design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make a Drippy Sky Painting 

with Pop Up Art School

Thursday, July 17, 5:30—7:00 PM

Paint a pastel sunset with a star-filled sky oozing over top.  Learn how to paint colorful clouds and a celestial sky.

 

 

 

Learn to Play the Ukulele

Thursday, July 24, 6:00—7:00 PM

Learn the fundamentals of ukulele playing with musician Julie Stepanek. No experience necessary!Ukuleles will be provided or bring your own.

   

 

Hula-Hooping for All Ages with Wildkat Hoops

Saturday, July 26, 2:00—3:00 PM

Hula-hoop with Kat Suwalski of Wildkat Hoops! Learn basic hooping moves while increasing strength and balance through this fun activity. No experience necessary! 

Tie-Dye Workshop
Thursday, August 7, 3:30—5:00 PM

Join us as we wrap up our Color Our World summer reading events with a Tie Dye workshop. Tie dye a pair of shoelaces, first come first served, while supplies last, and/or you may bring one clothing item such as a white T-shirt or a white pair of socks to dye.

Summer 2024 - Adventure Begins at Your Library!

Summer programs will run June 22 through August 22. Many of them require registration. Registration opens June 1. To save your spot, visit the Library's Calendar of Events. Click on the workshop you'd like to attend to open the registration form. 

Our online reading challenge in Beanstack begins June 22, and runs for 7 weeks with weekly raffle drawings for gift cards to local businesses. You may enter the challenge at any time during the 7 weeks. The badges you earn in the challenge are entered in each weekly drawing. The more you earn, the better your chance of winning. You earn badges by: logging your reading, writing review(s), and participating in challenge activities.

Eggs, Space, & a Reading Competition

Coming this Spring are three programs to put on your calendar, plus scroll down for a taste of what's on tap so far for the summer.

Register for March Minute Madness, on our Beanstack platform. Beginning March 1st, 23 libraries will compete in a March Madness-inspired reading competition. Help Hamilton-Wenham Library win by logging your reading time on Beanstack during the month of March. Libraries will compete in a bracket-style tournament where the library with the most weekly minutes in each bracket moves to the next round. All reading counts! Hamilton-Wenham patrons who earn challenge badges will be entered in raffles to win small prizes.

 

Ukrainian Egg Workshop for Teens

Wednesday, March 13, 2:30-4:30 pm

Join us for a class on making Ukrainian Eggs!  Presented by Kati Bourque, (Head of Technical Services here at the Hamilton-Wenham Library). This program is open to teens, ages 12 to 18. All supplies will be provided. The class is limited to 15 participants. Registration is required. Wear your getting messy clothes! Click here to register.

Star Gazing, The Moon, & Eclipses

Thursday, April 4, 7:00—9:00 pm 

The evening begins with a 30 minute presentation on Earth's Moon: How it Came to Be and Why We Have Solar and Lunar Eclipses, with NSAAC Star Party Coordinator, Brewster LaMacchia. Following the presentation we'll go outside to look through telescopes provided by volunteers from the NSAAC. Best for ages 10 and up. No registration required. In the case of rain/cloudy weather the star gazing portion of the evening will be postponed till April 16 at 7:30pm. More information here.

This summer there will be a 6 week reading challenge for teens on Beanstack with a weekly raffle drawing for those who earn badges in the challenge. In June: Stop by for a henna tattoo with Mandy of Wicked Good Henna; Enter your graffiti art in a contest via the Graffiti Art Contest workshop, and maybe win a prize: On Saturday, June 29th the amazing staff from Beverly Bikes will be here for a Bicycle Mechanics Workshop. Adventure Begins at Your Library!

Summer!

Find Your Voice this Summer--Programs start June 24 and continue through August 10. To register visit the Library's Calendar of Events and click on the workshop you'd like to attend. This year's summer reading challenge on our Beanstack platform also starts June 24. The challenge runs for 7 weeks with weekly raffle drawings for gift certificates to local businesses. You may enter the challenge at any time during the 7 weeks. Find out more information here. If you earn the reading challenge completion badge, you will be entered into an extra drawing in August for a fun goody bag and surprise gift certificate (there's already been a request for the Lego store...so maybe that will be in the goody bag or maybe something else...). The weekly drawings and winners are posted here.

 

Teen Programs Preview

Save the Dates!

Here are teen programs coming up at the Library - 

we're already stacking them up for summer!

Click the picture to register.

 

Play Dungeons & Dragons with Erick of Quest Master's Guild

5 sessions, starts: Saturday, February 18, 1:00—3:00 PM

Play D&D with Erick of Quest Master's Guild: We’ll make all the characters together at session one. No need to bring your own. We'll start at level 3, Max HP. You will have a choice of setting; whichever the majority wants to do from the following (in difficulty order): Fungeons and Flagons, Settling Debt, Seven Plunders of the World, Sunset on Avalon, Rime or Reason. Meets Saturdays every 3 weeks for 2 hours: February 18, March 11, April 1, April 22, May 13.  For teens in grades 6 through 12. Beginner's welcome. Registration required.

 

 

Ukrainian Egg Workshop for Teens

Wednesday, April 5, 2:30—3:30 PM

 Join us for a class on making Ukrainian eggs (Pysanky). Open to teens in grades 6 through 12.  Presented by Kati Bourque, (Head of Technical Services here at the Library). All supplies provided. Workshop is limited to 15 participants. Registration is required. 

 

 

 

Graffiti Contest for Teens

Saturday, June 24, 12:00—2:30 PM

Try your hand at graffiti. We'll supply the paint and a 30x40 inch canvas. All artwork will be displayed on the walls of the Library's teen area during our Find Your Voice summer reading program. During that time artwork will be voted on by teens and visitors to the exhibit; some prizes will be awarded. For teens entering grades 6 to 12 in Fall 2023.  Registration opens Saturday, June 3.

Henna Tattoos

Wednesday, June 28, 3:00—5:00 PM

 ICNHA Certified Henna Artist Mandy Roberge will be here for this two hour session  for teens entering grades 6 to 12 in Fall 2023. Come chill to some beats, color a mandala, meet friends, & leave with a wicked good henna tattoo. Sign-up for a tattoo on the day. Tattoos will be done first come, first served, as time allows. Tattoos take approximately 5-10 minutes each to complete. 

 

 

 Make a Duckie Soap [Teen session]

Thursday, July 13, 2:30—3:30 PM

Make your own soapy creation and add your choice of duckie, then take your handmade creation home. It can be removed from the mold the following day and used right away.

For teens entering grades 6 to 12 in Fall 2023.  Registration opens Saturday, June 3.

 

 

Make a Clay Yeti Luminaria

Thursday, July 20, 3:00—4:30 PM

Craft a cute yeti with air dry clay. Make the body from a pinch pot and hand-build the arms, horns and a toothy smile, then paint it. Glowing from within is a battery-operated candle that illuminates the face. Battery-operated candle included. For teens entering grades 6 to 12 in Fall 2023.  Registration opens Saturday, June 3.

Palmistry Painting

Thursday, July 27, 3:00—4:30 PM

Divine your fortune when you paint this mystical canvas painting project. Paint a hand with a legend of the lines, and an eye with wings. Follow along with Pop up Art School to learn brush techniques and how to mix colors.  

For teens entering grades 6 to 12 in Fall 2023.  Registration opens Saturday, June 3.

 

 

 

Wire Sculpture Workshop for Teens & Adults 

Thursday, August 3, 6:00—8:00 PM

Make a wire tree sculpture with Ryan Kelley. Bring your own rock (about the size of an adult sized closed fist) to use for the tree base to the workshop. Open to teens entering grades 6 to 12 in Fall 2023, and to adults. Registration opens Saturday, June 3.