Each year in September, Parkes Shire Library celebrates literacy, science, art and creative play, by dedicating the month to exploring Curiosity + Wonder! “We are known in Parkes for our engaging interactive programs, cultural events and variety of workshops offered,” said Manager Cultural, Education & Library Services, Shellie Buckle. “The Library Team and I have drawn upon the community’s enjoyment of meeting authors and excellent response to art workshops when arranging the first Curiosity + Wonder events,” she said.
The celebration kicks off with two exciting events: a visit from a best-selling Australian author and a weaving workshop from a well-known Central West artist. Karen Viggers is the award-winning internationally best-selling author of three novels: The Stranding, The Lightkeeper’s Wife and The Grass Castle. She writes contemporary fiction set in wild Australian landscapes, and her work explores connection with the bush, grief and loss, healing in nature, death, family, marriage and friendship.
Karen is a wildlife veterinarian who has worked and travelled in many remote parts of Australia, from Antarctica to the Kimberley. Her novels are known for their evocative portrayal of Australian people and landscapes.
Karen is joining the Parkes community for lunch at Parkes Library on Tuesday, 6th September. Her talk is titled “Finding Stories in Australian Landscapes”. Weaving artist Lanny Mackenzie from Orange, enjoys using naturally sourced and recycled materials for her works. Lanny started weaving in 2002 in Condobolin and found it quite therapeutic, cathartic and a great artistic outlet.
Lanny often travels around the central west of New South Wales to pass her skills on to others, and will be at Parkes Library on Sunday, 4th September holding a weaving workshop. Bookings are required for the weaving workshop as there are limited places, and to ensure there are enough sandwiches for lunch the Library team would like to know if you are coming to the author talk. Call Parkes Library on 6861 2309 or email library@parkes.nsw.gov.au.
Re-awaken your sense of wonder… Let curiosity lead your life.