Ready, Aim, Paint

NEW LENOX, IL — Giving squirt guns filled with paint to a couple of dozen teens and pre-teens might at first sound like an ill-advised idea, but with a little direction from staff at New Lenox Public Library District the idea resulted in unique works of art.

Participants were provided with squirt guns filled with watercolor paint, watercolor paper, poster boards and smocks, which were optional attire. Teen Services Specialist at the library, Melissa Leggero, and Adult and Teen Services Programing Coordinator, Clarice Swanson, gave a brief introduction of how to use the squirt guns — basically, point and shoot at the paper, not each other — and the youth were off to create their works of art.

The idea came to Leggero after networking with other local libraries.

“I thought, I wanted to do something where they could just break loose, be free and have a lot of fun, so I thought this would be a good idea,” Leggero said.

She jotted the idea down, and Swanson discovered it and said she loved the idea.

“I told Melissa, ‘Hey, this sounds great. I really hope you want to do this because I want to do this.' So we were able to work together and pull it together,” Swanson said.

Twenty-three young adults signed up for the event, which Leggero and Swanson said they saw as a positive sign that things at the library are starting to turn around after last year’s pandemic restrictions.

"This is probably one of our biggest teen programs since COVID that we could do it in person, do it outside, just get the kids to come back," Leggero said. "We're really happy about that."

Part of the popularity of the event could have been its wide appeal to both artists and non artists alike.

“What I like about this is you don’t particularly have to be artistic to do it. You can combine art with fun, so I think it includes everybody,” Leggero said.

And, perhaps, one of the participants will find that they have a hidden talent or passion for art, she added.

“And I think, with the teens especially, it’s a good reminder that the library isn’t just educational books, that we’re a fun resource that does fun activities, as well,” Swanson said. “It lets them stretch their creative muscles a little bit, and lets them see some of the more fun side of what we do at the library.”

For more information on upcoming events at New Lenox Public Library District, located at 120 Veterans Parkway in New Lenox, click here.