Announcing our 2025 Community Read:

The Lioness of Boston by Emily Franklin

Featuring companion book selections for children and teens, plus a series of programs inspired by the novel and the life of Isabella Stewart Gardner, our Community Read provides the opportunity for a shared reading experience that immerses the community in literature, conversation, and creativity.

Copies of The Lioness of Boston and its companion books for children and teen readers are available for checkout at the Library beginning on March 10.

All titles are also available in digital format (eBook and eAudio) in the Libby/Overdrive app.

 

Featured Events:

Tiny Art Show (All Ages) – Tiny Art Kits will be available starting Saturday, March 29 while supplies last. Take your kit home, or paint at the Library on 3/29 at 10:30. Art returned by April 18 will be displayed at the library and all are welcome to attend our Tiny Art Show Reception on Thursday, May 1 at 6:30pm. Click here for complete information.

Tour the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Adults), Wednesday, April 2, 11:30am-12:30pm – Take a private group tour the Gardner Museum in Boston! Please meet in the main lobby of the museum at 11:30 sharp. The tour should last approximately one hour. Pre-registration is required and a $10 donation to the Friends of the Library is requested. Registration opens Monday, March 10 and must be done in person at the library; donations may be made by cash or check. Limit to 25 slots.

Make a Victorian Style Purse (Teens Ages 13+ and Adults), Thursday, April 3, 6:00-8:00pm – Hand sew a purse with a kiss lock frame. You must be able to thread a needle and sew a running stitch. All supplies will be provided. Registration required.

Art Heist Film Series (Adults), Fridays 10:00am – April 4 – Art Thief; April 11 – Ocean’s Eight; April 18 – The Thomas Crown Affair (1968). No registration required.

The Gardner Heist with Anthony Amore (Adults), Tuesday, April 8, 6:00-7:30pm – Join the Gardner Museum’s Director of Security to learn about the still unsolved art heist and uncover the motivations behind art theft. No registration required.

Sketching Maps: From Literature or Life (Teens Ages 14+ and Adults), Thursdays, April 10 & 17, 6:00-8:00pm – Isabella Stewart Gardner was the most well-traveled woman of her time. Learn about map systems, then sketch with Jessica Yurwitz of Slow River Studios. This is a two part workshop. Registration required.

Isabella Performed by Delvena Theater Company (Teens and Adults), Saturday, April 12, 11:00am-12:00pm – Step back in time and meet Isabella Stewart Gardner! Learn about her life, charm, friends and acquaintances, travels, stylish taste and unconventional behavior in this entertaining performance. No registration required.

Felted Lion Workshop (Teens Ages 12-18), Saturday, April 12, 1:30-3:30pm – Learn the art of sculpting in wool using wool roving and sharp barbed needles to create your own felted lion. Registration is required.

Design a Mini-Gallery Room (Children Ages 8-12), Thursday, April 24, 3:30-5:00pm – Create your own gallery room inspired by the eclectic designs of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Learn about color, texture, and composition while crafting a personalized space to showcase your imagination. Using paper, cardboard and vibrant markers, design a room and hang unique miniature artwork on the walls, or create miniature sculptures. Presented by the Pop Up Art School. First come, first allowed basis; in person registration will begin one hour prior to the event.

Pointillism Cherry Tree Painting Workshop (Teens Ages 13+ and Adults), Thursday, April 24, 6:00-7:30pm – Join Pop Up Art School to create a stunning tree painting using pointillism! This painting technique originated during the Impressionist era and involves using dots of different colors to create an impression of the subject. Pop Up Art School will walk you through the process as you create your own masterpiece. Registration is required.

The Lions of Isabella (Children Ages 3 – 11), Saturday, May 3, 10:00am-3:00pm – Legend has it that in 1897, Isabella Stewart Gardner walked a lion named Rex by its mane down Boylston Street to the shock and amazement of the Boston public! Join art educator, Tif Farmakis-Day as she helps you craft these fun lions reminiscent of Isabella’s daring feat. There will be two age-based sessions offered on a first come, first allowed basis. In person registration will begin one hour prior to the event. Children 3 – 6 years will create Lion Marionettes from 11 am – noon. Children 7 – 11 years will create Felted Lions from 1 – 2:30 pm

The Gilded World of Isabella Stewart Gardner (Adults), Thursday, May 8, 6:30-7:30pm – The life of Boston’s arts patroness typifies the lives of many of the wealthy and cultured Americans who lived during the Gilded Age of American history. We will explore the details of Isabella Stewart Gardner’s life, friends, travels and collections. She broke all kinds of rules while setting up her museum but perhaps we can understand this when we read her personal motto “It is my pleasure.” She arranged things the way she wanted with relationships between objects that may at first escape us. What is left for us is to marvel at the space she created and filled with beautiful things. This presentation is led by art historian Mary Woodward, who serves as a guide at several Historic New England properties, and has over 40 years of experience in museums. No registration required.

Explore, Engrave, Create! (Children Ages 5-12), Saturday, May 10, 11:00am-2:30pm – Isabella Stewart Gardner traveled to Egypt to add to her ever-growing collection of art. Join art educator, Tif Farmakis-Day as you design and engrave a copper bookmark using Egyptian-inspired designs. There will be two age-based sessions offered on a first come, first allowed basis. In person registration will begin one hour prior to the event. Children 5 – 7 years will create from 11 am – noon; Children 8 – 12 years will create from 1 – 2:30 pm.

An Evening with Author Emily Franklin (Adults), Wednesday, May 14, 6:00-8:00pm – Meet the author of The Lioness of Boston! Emily is the author of over twenty books including our Community Wide Reads featured title. She went to school at Dartmouth where she earned her Master’s Degree in writing and media studies. In addition to two adult novels Emily has also written more than a dozen books for young adults. Books will be available for sale and signing at 6:00pm and her talk will begin at 6:30; there will also be time at the end for book signing. No registration required.