Join a community Mail Art show that celebrates life, death, nature, and culture.
Have you ever heard of Mail Art? Mail Art is a piece of artistic joy that is sent to someone through the mail. Basically, you create a flat piece of art, such as a postcard, put a stamp and address on it, and drop it in a mail box.
Create a piece of unframed art that can be sent to the Southside Library in an envelope via the Postal Service. Or, if you dare, create a postcard and mail it to the Library without the envelope!
Mail to:
Southside Library
6599 Jaguar Drive
Santa Fe, NM 87507
The Mail Art that we receive will be displayed at the Southside Library during the month of October 2024. To make our display cohesive, we have a theme; please include at least one of these items in your piece of Mail Art:
• Monarch butterfly
• Marigold flower
• Skull or skeleton
You’ll find many ways to create a small scale, flat piece of art. Combine your glue with some of these supplies:
• Ephemera or found pieces of paper
• Images or print from old books
• Penmanship or typography
• Doodling or sketching
• Short poetry such as haiku
• Rubber stamps
• Washi tape
• Embossing
• Handmade paper
• Images from magazines
• Decorative paper napkins
• Coloring book pages
• Something torn from the newspaper
• Paint, pencils, crayons, pastels, ink
And this is just a partial list!
The foundation of your art piece is called the substrate. The substrate is the piece that you glue all of the other pieces to. You can use a variety of things as the substate. I have used the following: index cards, cardstock, mixed media paper, watercolor paper, and vintage Rolodex cards. You might also consider glueing your finished creation to something a little stiffer: chipboard. Chipboard is the very thin cardboard that is used to make cereal boxes. This thin cardboard gives your creation a little more weight, and it will prevent your piece from curling.
Now, just because we like to make collages, that doesn’t mean you have to make a collage to participate in this project. Maybe you’re a painter. Maybe you’re an illustrator. Maybe you’re a graphic designer. Maybe you’re a poet. There’s so much artistic talent out there, especially in Santa Fe. But keep in mind, this is a Mail Art exhibit. Your piece of art must be flat and fit in an envelope.
This is a community art show, open to everyone, but we have one firm rule: The art must be family-friendly.
Read the entire Marigolds and Monarchs: Mail Art Exhibit SFPL blog post HERE!
Roll Out to the Library this September for Library Card Sign-Up Month
Celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month this September with Santa Fe Public Library and the American Library Association! We’re inviting everyone to discover the incredible resources and opportunities available at your local library by signing up for a library card. At your Library everything is free and everyone is welcome!
This year, we’re thrilled to have Optimus Prime from the TRANSFORMERS as our special ambassador, highlighting that there’s more than meets the eye at Santa Fe Public Library. Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills, find valuable information, or connect with fellow avid readers, a library card unlocks a world of possibilities.
Today’s libraries are vibrant community centers offering much more than just books. At Santa Fe Public Library, you’ll find diverse programs, job search assistance, homework help, book clubs, author talks, storytimes, and more.
Curious about exploring a new hobby or learning a new language? Santa Fe Public Library has the resources you need. Does your child need extra practice with reading out loud? Reluctant readers will gain confidence and seasoned readers will enjoy practicing their read-aloud skills with the Library’s Reading Education Assistance Dogs! Are you in need of access to free yoga and mindfulness classes? SFPL has you covered! Did you know that Santa Fe Public Library offers laptops and hot spots available for checkout? There’s truly something for everyone at your Library.
Getting a library card is easy and is an essential step toward academic success and lifelong learning. Everyone should have one!
Join us throughout September for our Library Card Sign-Up Month and discover some of the Library’s program offerings (always free and open to the public!), including:
Spiritual Inroads to the Ancient City: Join Ana Pacheco, the former Santa Fe City Historian (2015–2017), for her monthly presentations as she delves into four centuries of Santa Fe history. Main Library, Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 4:00pm
Something Queer at the Library – Book Club:Safe harbor to explore LGBTQ+ literature. September Book Club Discussion: The Sleeping Car Porter By Suzette Mayr. Southside Library, Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 6:00pm
International Authors Book Club: Read the author of your choosing from a predetermined country. We will meet each third Thursday of the month to discuss your author, their works, and any themes they explore. La Farge Library, Thursday, September 19, 2024, 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Bee Walk and Talk at the Santa Fe River: Educational Bee Walk and Talk with Dr. Olivia Carril at the Santa Fe River. Bee Hotel at Santa Fe River (East Alameda and Camino Escondido), Saturday, September 21, 2024, 11:00am – 12:30pm
Business Clothing Drive and Distribution:This event is dedicated to helping community members find the perfect business attire for job interviews and professional needs. Southside Library, Wednesday, September 25, 2024, 2:00pm – 6:00pm
There’s always something fun for children and families at the Libraries, including…
Bilingual Music, Books, and Babies: The power of music and song are used as an introduction to language in this program for babies and toddlers. Wednesdays at Main Library, Fridays at La Farge Library, Saturdays at Southside Library, 10:00am
Children’s Storytime and Craft: Created with early childhood teaching techniques, this story hour and craft provides social, physical, and cognitive skill practice for kindergarten readiness.Tuesdays at Southside Library, Wednesdays at La Farge Library, Thursdays at Main Library, 10:30am
Youth Chess: Youth Chess is a weekly chance for school age youth to continue to improve their critical thinking skills through the game of chess. Main Library, Wednesdays, 5:45pm – 7:45pm
Pajama Story Time: A cozy, evening story time that includes a snack and a craft, for parents and preschool children. Southside Library, Thursdays, 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Caregiver and Tot Creative Movement: This gentle introductory class for children and their caregiver utilizes a curriculum based on child development theories and discovery of dance through play, that sparks a lifelong appreciation for movement arts. Main Library, 1st and 2nd Saturdays of the month, 10:00am (No class during Fiesta weekend/September 7th)
Don’t miss out! Visit your Santa Fe Public Library branch location this September to sign up for a library card and discover all that your library has to offer.
A unique overview of Fiesta De Santa Fe / Santa Fe Fiesta with Historian Ana Pacheco.
Join Ana Pacheco, the former Santa Fe City Historian (2015–2017), for her monthly presentations as she delves into four centuries of Santa Fe history. Through her thirty-one years as a writer and historian Pacheco has created books, articles, blogs, videos, and five-star walking tours of her beloved hometown. In the last three decades she has pieced together the puzzle that makes Santa Fe the most historically significant city in the U. S.
Fiesta De Santa Fe / Santa Fe Fiesta with Historian Ana Pacheco
It took 100 years of Zozobra history to have Santa Fe Public Library’s Sawyer Regensberg to ascend from the depths of the Library’s basement Tech Services. Join us for the rare occurrence as one of our own rises from the dark like Old Man Gloom himself to share their passion for Santa Fe history in celebration of 100 years of the Burning of Zozobra!
Librarian Sawyer Regensberg has dug through Santa Fe Public Library archives and online resources to find the treasures that highlight our City’s culture and history and will present to attendees exciting discoveries from his research. Learn the history and story of this uniquely Santa Fe icon!
Early school age children may practice reading aloud to a friendly therapy dog from the Santa Fe Animal Shelter Pet Outreach Program! Our dogs are patient, cuddly, and love to hear stories! Reluctant readers will gain confidence and seasoned readers will enjoy practicing their read-aloud skills in a relaxed environment.
No registration required.
Bring your own book to read to a pup or select one from the Library!
Would you like a personal introduction to resources available at the library? Or perhaps you need help learning how to use your laptop, tablet, or phone? Make a free appointment with a librarian for a one-on-one tech help session.
