Contributed article
SAFFORD — The Safford City-Graham County Library concludes its National Endowment for the Arts Big Read exploration of “The Bear” by Andrew Krivak with a student photography exhibit through Jan. 12.
The event features photography from students in seventh to 12th grades in response to the prompt “The Beauty of Graham County.” The exhibit can be seen at the library Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Eighteen students from classrooms reading “The Bear” submitted their work. The following students have been awarded prizes provided by The Gila Valley Arts Council.
Middle School
1. Aiden Van Woesik, Safford Middle School
2. Emilia Grace Warner, Bonita Schools
3. Tucker Stamback, Bonita Schools
High School
1. Samantha Cortez Leon, Safford High School
2. Nylie Rodriguez, Mt. Turnbull Academy
3. Darius Swift, Mt. Turnbull Academy
Paulette LeBlanc, Gila Valley Arts Council board member, said, “The Bear is a stunning tribute to the beauty of nature’s kingdom. Why not capture that through a lens?”
An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the power of a shared reading experience.
Graham County is one of 62 communities nationwide participating in the 2022-23 NEA Big Read.
NEA Big Read in Graham County is presented in partnership with the Gila Valley Arts Council and the Graham County Superintendent of Schools, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Safford Library is also applying to participate in the 2023-24 NEA Big Read, and is asking the public’s help in selecting the book. There are three very different options this year, from historical fiction to modern day with a touch of magical realism. To cast a vote go to https://forms.gle/VyBxMuJxSTshYRxa7.
For more information on this event contact Lesley Talley at the library. A full calendar of library events can be viewed at www.saffordlibrary.org.
