Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Best-selling author to speak for One Book, One Community, Thursday, April 18, noon

New York Times bestselling author Susan Vreeland will appear at Cloquet Public Library at a headline event for the area-wide One Book, One Community reading project. Vreeland’s novel, “Clara and Mr. Tiffany,” is the community book selection for 2013. Vreeland will present a free public talk at the library at noon Thursday, April 18. Those attending are invited to bring a bag lunch; dessert will be provided.
Vreeland’s historical novel is based on the experience of real-life glass artist Clara Driscoll, who worked as a designer for Tiffany and Company in New York at the turn of the 20th century. Her contribution to the design of Tiffany’s famed lamps, a signature of the Gilded Age, was uncredited at the time and was only recently made public. A retrospective of her work with Tiffany was the basis of an exhibition at the New York Historical Society in 2007.
“Clara and Mr. Tiffany” reached the New York Times bestseller list in 2011 and was shortlisted for the Lannon Literary Award.
Vreeland will present a slide show at her talk, in which she will discuss the process of writing the novel and the role of female artists and craftspersons in the early 20th century.
Fitger’s Bookstore will have autographed copies of “Clara and Mr. Tiffany” for purchase at Vreeland’s presentation.
A brochure featuring One Book, One Community events is available at the library. The corresponding book selection for younger readers, also with an art theme, is “Chasing Vermeer” by Blue Balliett.
Also in connection with the book selection, a workshop for creating a take-home project using stained glass will be offered at the library at 6 p.m. Monday, April 22. The stained glass mosaic class will be taught by Candace Whelan. Cost for materials is $5 and advanced registration is required. Call the library at 218-879-1531 for further information.
Check the library’s website, www.cloquet.lib.mn.us, for updated information about Cloquet library events. All One Book One Community events may be found on the Duluth Public Library website: http://www.duluth.lib.mn.us/Programs/Clara/Events.html.
Primary funders of the 2013 One Book, One Community project are Friends of the Duluth Public Library, Duluth Public Library Foundation, Minnesota Legacy Amendment Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund in partnership with the Duluth Public Library, the Cloquet Public Library, Friends of the Cloquet Public Library, the Arrowhead Library System, Arrowhead Reading Council, The Bookstore at Fitger’s, Duluth Public Schools, Fitger’s Inn, Virginia Public Library and Friends of the Virginia Public Library.