Community Finds Its Way With Diamond Painting At The Brewster Library

BREWSTER, NY — The Brewster Public Library hosted a diamond painting session for adults on June 6. This comes from an initiative started by the library to expand its arts and crafts programs.

Each participant was given a bookmark to bedazzle using the color-coordinated and numbered spots. This program aimed to focus on mindfulness, relaxation and community building. Attendees sat alongside one another, forming bonds through the discussion of various topics while creating a lively and eye-catching design.

Kate Napolitano, the program instructor, hopes to bridge the gaps that COVID-19 created within the Brewster Community. Now that life is no longer at a halt, the library is growing to be more adventurous with its programs to help build community and let attendees of all ages have creative control over their artwork.

“We're hoping people are chit-chatting and having a good time and want to put the music on and help folks kind of reconnect, I think after a long period of tough times with that,” said Napolitano. “It [Diamond painting] seems like this is something that really attracts people; it's something people can show off but also something we can do to relax. Where the interest goes we try to follow so if people are enjoying this, we [The library] want to be able to do it.”

Lisa Diamond, an attendee, found an advertisement for this event in a newspaper. Having been eager to try diamond painting herself, she found her way to the Library to bask in the task.

“The programs are good because they bring people together. Some people are lonely, like elderly people, and to bring them out—togetherness, to make friends, to talk to people—is good,” said Diamond. “ I always wanted to try [Diamond painting]. It is relaxing. It's something I could see myself doing at home.”

Attendees ranged all ages, including Barbette Roff, veteran member and former President of The Friends of The Brewster Library Organization, a community outreach nonprofit organization that helps fundraise for books and supplies for The Brewster Public Library.

Roff is a regular member of programs hosted by the library, she emphasized the importance of programs designed for adults to utilize the library’s resources and to build friendships within the community. Just like Diamond, she too is eager for the exciting initiatives aimed toward adults and seniors.

“When I started with friends [Of the Brewster Library] there wasn't much money for seniors and adults, it was mostly kids' programs. And there still are a lot of kids programs, but we have put in more for adults,” said Roff.

The Brewster Public Library hosts a variety of events ranging from arts and crafts to history exchanges to Mahjong. Each event is posted on their website along with their Instagram account, @brewsterpubliclibrary