This event is intended for all ages 4 and up. Registration is encouraged\, but walk-ins are allowed. Chi ldren under 10 must be accompanied by a caregiver.
\nJ oin us to celebrate the arts and crafts of West Bengal\, India. Sushmita P oddar&mdash\;Culture Bearer for Henna\, Indian Folk Dance\, and South Asia n Fashion in Oregon&mdash\;will share a glimpse of the culture of Bengal t hrough henna (instead of red hibiscus alta)\, face painting (Kolka)\, and a display of cultural handcrafted products and textiles. Participants will use Henna to create Bengal Folk Art patterns that they can take home with them\, while Sushmita will paint faces with Kolka art. \;
\nLoc ated in Portland Metro\, Sushmita Poddar is a multidiscip linary cultural artist\, a civic leader\, and owns 3 small businesses: Sho p Amrapali\, Salon Amrapali\, and Bollywood Movez. She also runs a non pro fit called WashCo Rising. She has designed over 10000 cultural outfits in 19 years\, has taught dance classes to over 3000 students and painted more than 49000 henna hands. Sushmita loves sharing a glimpse of her cultural heritage through diverse art forms and through engaging workshops across a ges. Her passion and purpose is to reweave the lost stories of global dive rse communities through sharing of arts\, culture\, talks\, workshops and training. \;
\n~
\n2026 A Novel Idea Youth Edition
Hope in the Valley \;is a middle-grade novel e
xploring grief\, friendship\, family\, and growing up in a community facin
g a housing crisis. \;
\;
Twelve-year-old \;Indian-
American \;Pandita Paul \;doesn't \;like change. \;She's&n
bsp\;not ready to start middle school and leave the comforts of childhood
behind. Most of all\, Pandita \;doesn't \;want to feel like \;
she's \;leaving her mother\, who died a few years ago\, behind. After&
nbsp\;a falling \;out with her best friend\, Pandita is planning to sp
end most of her summer break reading and writing in her favorite secret sp
ace: the abandoned but majestic mansion across the street. But then the un
thinkable happens. The town announces that the old home will be bulldozed
in favor of new&mdash\;maybe affordable&mdash\;housing. With her family on
opposing sides of the issue\, Pandita must find her voice&mdash\;and the
strength to move on&mdash\;in order to \;give her community hope.
\;
\;
About the Author \;
Mitali&
nbsp\;Perkins has \;written \;many books for young readers\, all o
f which explore crossing \;different kinds \;of borders. \;Her
goal is to make readers laugh or cry\, preferably both\, as long as their
hearts are widening. \;She lives and writes in \;the East \;B
ay. \;
Learn more about \;A Novel Idea
\nQuestions? Contact \;elsah@deschuteslibrary. org\, 541-312-1062
\nhttps://dpl.libnet.info/event/15843060 URL;VALUE=URI:https://dpl.libnet.info/event/15843060 ATTACH:https://static.libnet.info/images/events/dpl/Henna_Face_Painting_El sa_.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR