Tiny Art Show makes big waves

Local artistic talents are currently on display at the Newton Public Library. Beginning in January, residents were able to pick up a free 4x4 canvas and create their own mini-masterpieces at home. If participants returned their canvases to the library by Jan. 31 their art would become part of the library’s month-long inaugural Tiny Art Show.

The library’s only stipulation was that all submissions had to be family-friendly. Other than that, anyone of any age or artistic ability was invited to participate.

“We wanted people to do whatever they wanted, to feel free to express themselves however they wanted,” Newton’s Public Service Librarian Becca Klein said.

And participants certainly have. As of Feb. 1, a total of 68 unique submissions were put on display throughout the library.

“The submissions we got back were all pretty random. Just a huge variety of subjects and materials were used to create the different works,” Klein said.

This art show by – and for – the public is a part of the library’s attempts to bring back in-person programming after COVID-19 forced the facility to cancel most of its activities.

“We wanted to do something to bring people back to the library, but could also be done in the safety of their own homes,” Klein said.

All canvases will be on display until Feb. 28 and will be returned to the artists sometime in early March.

Contact Abby Knipfel at 641-792-4687 ext. 6531 or aknipfel@shawmedia.com