Friends of Montclair Library

One of my favorite posts to write every year is the one announcing the winners of our annual UNBOUND Book Art & Craft Contest.

We had a number of excellent entries this year and a hard time choosing as always, but we’ve selected the following winners:

Coming in first in the Kids’ division is Prathana P., age 6, who turned a kindergarten workbook into the luminous, lantern-like “Art Dime.”

Second place in the Kids’ division went to Olivia C., age 9, who transformed a book of mathematical tables into a fantastical green garden titled “The Magic of a Book.”

Saanvi B., age 6, took third place in the Kids’ division with the charming “Heidi the Hedgehog,” folded from the pages of a biography of Marie Curie.

In the Adult division, Brenda Cooper came in in first place with “Dog Stories,” which combined illustrations and pieces from several books into a mixed-media tribute to man’s best friend.

Embracing our re-use and recycle goal, Adult second place winner Sohug Mookerjee transformed a book she found in the middle of Thornhill Road into “Words of a Petal,” a giant paper flower wreath.

Tricia Larsen took third place in the Adult division with her “Poetree,” in which a poetry book sprouts a tree whose leaves contain words on “joy, love, grief, nature, women and life.”

Once again we had no teen entries, but we received several outstanding group entries for the first time this year, so we reshuffled the prizes and awarded a first and second place in the Groups category.

First place in Groups went to Ms. Ruth’s kindergarten and first grade art classes at Beach Elementary School, who turned an outdated dictionary into an amazing art piece titled “Beach Book Art.” Each student selected a word from a page to illustrate. Kindergarten students used pen, oil pastel, watercolor and cut paper, and first graders cut stencils and used them with paint rollers and cut paper collage for a Matisse-like effect.

Last but not least, Edna Brewer Middle School 6th grade art students created “Reading and Beyond,” 30 individual collages assembled into a large hanging piece featuring parts of many books.

Congratulations to our winners and thanks to everyone who entered! For more photos of these winners, past winners and other book art inspiration, see our Book Craft Ideas Pinterest board.

And thanks again to our generous sponsors, Out of Print and Artist & Craftsman Supply of Berkeley.

Don’t forget: Your entry for the UNBOUND Book Art & Craft Contest is due by closing time this Saturday, April 30. We have some fun prizes lined up!

Kids:

• 1st prize: 82-piece Creatology art supplies kit in wooden case – packed with all the supplies you need to create something amazing!
• 2nd prize: Art supplies kit with markers, paints, colored pencils and more.
• 3rd prize: $10 gift certificate good towards purchases at our book sales.

Teens:

• 1st prize: Kelly Barker Acorn Graphite Drawing Tool & sketch book. A unique drawing tool that celebrates Oakland’s symbol. The acorn’s edges won’t rub off on your hands as you draw. Handmade in Seal Rock, Oregon.
• 2nd prize: Library Card Pouch (generously donated by Out of Print), great for corralling art supplies.
• 3rd prize: $10 gift certificate good towards purchases at our book sales.

Adults:

• 1st prize:Library Card tote bag (also from Out of Print), perfect for carrying your art supplies or library books.
• 2nd prize: Two guest passes to the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden – the garden is a great place to draw and get artistic inspiration!
• 3rd prize: $10 gift certificate good towards purchases at our book sales.