The Library Is Bringing Family Fun Programs and Activities to You This Summer

Cleveland Public Library is on the move this summer. We’re taking our books and family fun programming to three sizzling summer destinations: Edgewater Beach, Wade Oval Wednesdays, and Midtown.

“Whether you want to read and write or play and learn, our mobile libraries make it easier to connect with Cleveland Public Library no matter where you are in the city,” said Felton Thomas, Jr., Executive Director and CEO of Cleveland Public Library.

Experience art and culture at the Cleveland Public Library ArtBox located in AsiaTown’s Pop-up Park at 3236 Payne Avenue in the Midtown area of Cleveland. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the mobile library and art space will be on Saturday, June 18 at 11 a.m. The ArtBox will be open until October 8 on Fridays from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

“As The People’s University, we cater to a diverse and inclusive community. The purpose of the ArtBox is to display vibrant and inclusive art that uplifts all residents’ voices, views, and experiences,” adds Thomas.

Cleveland artist Chi-Irena Wong will paint the exterior of the ArtBox with playful images of characters enjoying Dim Sum and books. Dim Sum is a traditional Chinese meal made up of small plates of dumplings and the artwork is a nod to Cleveland’s Dim Sum businesses.

In addition to the ArtBox, Wong’s most notable public projects include the Grand Piano Pursuit in the Cleveland Metroparks for Piano Cleveland, a painting and mural at the Michael A. Ries Ice Rink in Parma, the Cleveland Institute of Art’s “Safety Campaign,” and the Waterloo Green Palette Rain Barrel Project in the Waterloo Art District.

Along with Wong, the ArtBox will feature different artists each month:

Cleveland artist Aaron Williams will highlight his work during the month of July. Williams’ work has been in art spaces and in collaborative forms across the U.S. His first solo exhibit, “Aawful Aaron” in 2021, was curated by the Museum of Creative Human Art in collaboration with moCa Cleveland.

In August, Cleveland painter Nick Lee will share his Japanese culture through portraits at the ArtBox. Lee currently has a solo exhibition at Akron Summit Artspace titled “When We Share Our Wounds” which showcases the Japanese American’s experience through a variety of portraits of Lee’s family members.

In September, the Cleveland Public Library ArtBox will host an exhibition by artist Eva Kwong. Her public art projects have been at the Cleveland Clinic, AsiaTown, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

The ArtBox project is possible with generous support from Midtown Cleveland, Inc., Cleveland Foundation, Hershey Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, and Margaret W. Wong & Associates, LLC. C

Headed to the beach or University Circle? Cleveland Public Library is there too. Our BookBox at Edgewater Beach is open now until Labor Day Thursday through Saturday afternoons.

Don’t forget to check out the Cleveland Public Library BookBox at Wade Oval Wednesdays. It’s open June 15 through August 17 from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Chill out with a delightful book this summer! Visit any Cleveland Public Library location or our website for books, movies, and more. Our summer reading program, Summer Lit League is now underway. Sign up TODAY to read for a chance to win prizes.