Kids Go Green While Creating Art at Nesconset Library

One person’s trash is another one’s treasure at the Smithtown Special Library District as children are invited to create art out of recycled materials on Friday, April 29 in the program “Upcycled Art."

“It’s a recreational program that’s also educational in that they learn about repurposing, and it will also teach them about [collages],” said Children’s Librarian Maggie Moloney.

Moloney said she will preface the program by reading books about how to reduce, reuse and recycle, including “Ballyhoo Bay” by Judy Sierra and “The Dumpster Diver” by Janet S. Wong.

Following the reading, the children’s librarian will teach the kids how to make portraits out of recycled materials.

“We’ll use construction paper, and we’ll have all sorts of recycled materials and leftover craft supplies that will be the eyes, the mouth, the hair and that kind of stuff,” she said.

This particular program is one of many the library district hosts during the year concerning repurposing of materials to create arts and crafts.

“One year, we did a program that was called ‘Recycled Reef’ that they made fish out of recycled materials,” Moloney said. “It’s a common theme. The kids really like it.”

The program will be held at the Nesconset Branch and is available to children in grades one through five from 4:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.