NYPL Events
International Creativity Month Upcoming Events
International Creativity Month is upon us! Why not take a look at some workshops that will unleash your creative side? With 92 locations, we have events for people of all ages. Our workshops will allow you to reach out of your comfort zone and discover what you are truly capable of. Programs will include knitting clubs, painting, and even creative writing meet-ups; no matter what your favorite creative activity is, we have something here for you!
Listed here are some highlighted programs being held throughout our locations this month, but if you cannot find one for you, check out a list of all of our events for this month. Now go out and get creative!
Arts and Crafts
MUNCHKINS' Paint & Learn: Finger Painting
Having your child use finger paints and use their hands will develop their motor skills and creativity. Join other parents in this exciting workshop to expand the imagination of your children.
Port Richmond Library
Tuesday, January 15, 22, and 29 | 12 noon
Still Life: Plant Drawings
In this Ellsworth Kelly inspired workshop, participants will learn to use a charcoal pencil to draw plant still life and eventually use watercolor to bring their drawings to life. Join us in this creative judgement-free zone. Space is limited.
Mid-Manhattan Library at 42nd Street, Room 67A
Tuesday, January 22 |10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
3D Doodling!
Who needs 3D printers anymore! Come have fun with 3Doodler, a 3D doodling pen that allows you to create objects from drawing in the air or on surfaces. Make your own action figure or even a desk toy for yourself or a friend. Watch as you create your ideas and bring them to life.
Tompkins Square Library, Basement
Monday, January 28 | 4 - 5 PM
Creative Aging: Landscape Painting in Watercolors
For ages 50 and up. It’s never too late to uncover your creativity so why not do it with the art of watercolor painting. Develop your skills in landscape painting which include painting skies, trees, water, and elements of the landscape.
Hudson Park Library
Monday, January 28 | 2 - 4 PM
Arts and Craft for Adults
Easy crafts for adults are a fun way to relieve stress and rediscover your creative spark. These easy art projects for adults are sure to fit your personal style and skill set.
Eastchester Library
Monday, January 28 | 2 PM
Don't see any crafting events you like here? Check out the full list of arts and crafts events here.
Knitting
Knit for a Cause Knitting Circle
If you love to knit or if you would love to learn how to knit—and if you would like the work that you do to make a difference in the lives of people in need—please join us for this very special, once-a-month program. Knit for a Cause will be led by Soleil Sabalja, a certified, multilingual educator and an experienced knitter. Objects knitted in the workshop will be donated to charitable organizations locally and globally.
Chatham Square Library
Wednesday, January 16 | 5:30 PM
Knitting Circle
Do you like to Knit? Crochet? Embroider? Whatever your passion, gather and socialize with others who share your interest, and perhaps pick-up a few tips and tricks as you work your own creations! Please bring your sewing supplies. Teens welcome!
Riverside Library
Saturday, January 19 and 26 | 10 AM - 12 PM
Knitting & Crocheting Club
Come meet your fellow stitchers in the neighborhood. Bring along your latest project to share.
Great Kills Library, Community Room
Every Wednesday | 1 PM
Knitting Club
Gather with other knitters and pick-up a few tricks as you work on your own creations.
Mosholu Library
Every Thursday | 3 PM
Want more stitching fun? Look through some more knitting workshops on our events page.
Writing
Teen Creative Writing Workshop Club
Are you interested in poetry, short stories, plays, spoken word, and other forms of creative writing? Do you want to activate the creative part of your brain and get feedback that will help your words to grow? Join us for a monthly workshop in which you’ll write, share, and discuss different kinds of creative writing. All materials will be provided. For ages 12-18.
Kingsbridge Library
Wednesday, January 16 | 4 - 5 PM
Soundview’s Creative Writing Meetup
Are you looking for a friendly atmosphere to write in, people to bounce ideas off of, or just looking for some feedback? Then this is the place for you! If you like to write and meet people who like writing, bring your creativity and personality to our creative writing meetups. All writers of all styles are welcome to join!
Soundview Library
Monday, January 28 | 5 PM
Can't get enough writing in your life? Visit these other workshops and continue getting creative!
Miscellaneous
Teen D.I.Y.
Stretch your creative skills and hang out with friends as we create pop-up cards, make photo transfers, glue papercraft, and engage in other fun art-based activities. Materials will be provided. Limit to 10.
Woodstock Library
Tuesday, January 15 and 29 | 4 PM
Creative with Legos
Come join us! Legos free play. Come take advantage of our many pieces of Legos and make what you want. For ages 3-12.
Morrisania Library
Monday, January 28 | 2 PM
Supervised Tech Time: Creative Coding Lab
Need to practice Photoshop, Illustrator? Working your way through a coding project or a self-paced online coding course? Get individualized help from a TechConnect instructor.
This is an open lab specifically geared towards patrons who have taken our creative or coding classes and want to continue working on projects related to what they have learned. Also, open to other patrons working in self-paced coding courses who need some support. No formal class instruction is provided in this session, however, we will be happy to direct you to self-paced courses and other materials.
Science, Industry and Business Library, Training Room 4
Every Wednesday | 10:30 - 11:30 AM and 11:30 - 12:30 PM
Read E-Books with SimplyE
With your library card, it's easier than ever to choose from more than 300,000 e-books on SimplyE, The New York Public Library's free e-reader app. Gain access to digital resources for all ages, including e-books, audiobooks, databases, and more.
If you don’t have an NYPL library card, New York State residents can apply for a digital card online or through SimplyE (available on the App Store or Google Play).
Need more help? Read our guide to using SimplyE.