Bookworms and food lovers alike are invited to the Mount Vernon Library’s NEA Big Read Kickoff event, celebrating award-winning author Charles Yu’s groundbreaking novel, Interior Chinatown.
Join the celebration on Saturday, Feb. 15, for a day filled with literary delight and culinary treats. Receive a copy of Interior Chinatown and enjoy a delicious snack prepared by Chef Nav of Half Baked Bistro. Mayor Matt Starr will announce an official proclamation, and NEA Big Read Chair and author Ira Sukrungruang will deliver welcoming remarks.
The library is showcasing a pair of ceremonial dragon heads, ingeniously crafted from stuffed animals by Ohio artist Jonathan Turner, as a captivating teaser for the upcoming kickoff event.
Artist Jonathan Turner, with two dragons at The Gund
The program, which will start at 12:00 noon, will also include a mesmerizing performance from the Jingwei Lion Dance Association.
Jingwei Lion Dance Association
On the same day, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Sunset Press will be hosting a Book Giveaway and Write-In on the “Where We Live” theme at the Kenyon College Bookstore in Gambier.
Sunset Press Editors in Chief, L-R: Niamh Cahill, Alex Aureden, Stephanie Chang and Emma London
This year’s NEA Big Read theme is “Where We Live,” which will be further celebrated with an Appalachian Square Dance at the Brown Family Environmental Center on Friday, Feb. 28.
Throughout February, the NEA Big Read activities include an Adult Book Discussion of Interior Chinatown on Wednesday, Feb. 19, a Poetry Workshop with Andy Grace on Thursday, Feb. 20, and Always Anjali Children’s Storytime at The Annex on Saturday, Feb. 22.
On Monday, February 24, there will be a Teen MakerSpace Chinese Opera Mask-making Workshop, and the Interior Chinatown Book Discussion on the Library’s “What Are You Reading” podcast. The Ekphrastic Writing Workshop will be held at The Gund on Thursday, February 27.
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with Arts Midwest, has awarded a $20,000 grant to the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County. The library is one of only two NEA Big Read grantees in Ohio, and this is the second time it has been honored with this prestigious award.
