Firebird Ethan Graybill works intently on his firebird in a summer art class in Flora. Bright colored firebirds were created, with music in the background as inspiration. The music was Igor Stravinsky's "The Firebird," composed for a ballet. Taught by Grace Woodruff, the class is part of the Flora Library's summer reading program, which emphasizes creativity. Comet photo by Jennifer Archibald Flora Public Library's summer reading program has the theme, "Be Creative at Your Library." In connection with that theme, the library and art instructor Grace Woodruff are offering summer art classes for preschool age through adult.

The classes, designed by Woodruff, interconnect visual arts with the performing arts and literature. The themes are: "Music Meets Art," "Art Meets Drama," and "Literature and Art Go Hand-In- Hand."

The Music Meets Art classes were held June 4 and 9. Participants can still sign up at the library for the other two sessions. The classes are free, and are held in the library program room.

There are two classes left for each age group. Grades 4- 6 meet from 10 a.m. to noon, preschool age meets from 10:45-11:30 a.m., grades K-3 meet from 1-2:30 p.m., and teen-adult meet from 6:30- 8:30 p.m.

Dates and descriptions are given below.

June 11 - Art Meets Drama. Grades 4-6: shadow puppet theatre. Teen-adult: costume design for theatre, film or dance.

June 16 - Art Meets Drama. Preschool: make a marionette puppet. K-3: express yourself with a mask (comedy and tragedy).

June 18 - Literature and Art Go Hand-In-Hand. Grades 4-6: illustrate historical event or story from mythology or the Bible. Teen-adult: illustrate a classic poem or story with a new visual image.

June 23 - Literature and Art Go Hand-In-Hand. Preschool: illustrate a nursery rhyme or bedtime story. K-3: illustrate a fairy tale different than Disney.

The art classes are supported by a grant from the Indiana Arts Commission.