SLAYTON PUBLIC LIBRARY INVITES TEENS TO CREATE ART

This summer, the Slayton Public Library is launching two programs to encourage local teenagers to express their creativity. From beginners looking for a fun morning of creativity with friends to serious artists aiming for their first professional commission, the library is the place for creative teens of all levels! Both of the following programs are open to Murray County residents from ages 13 to 19: Teen Art Studio and Teen Art Showcase.

Teen Art Studio is a free program featuring weekly hangouts and workshops that meets every Wednesday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Slayton Public Library. Running from May 20th through July 1st, each session begins with a free breakfast and an opportunity for participants to share their current projects. Attendees can work on personal art, learn new art skills and take home new art supplies provided by the library.

Beyond open studio time, participants will meet and learn from a rotating roster of professionals, including: Watercolor Painting with Laney Myhre, @qlaneyp on Instagram on May 20th Creating Comics and Turning Roleplaying Games into Illustrations with Dylan Jacobson dylanjjacobson.com on June 3rd and 10th Artist Talk & Q&A with SammiJo Miller sjmillerarts.com on June 24th Artist Talk & Feedback with Greg Pliska thebigpicturemurals. net on July 1st How to Join: Teen Art Studio is free! Registration is suggested but drop-ins are welcome. Because the library provides breakfast and supplies, staff want an accurate participant count. Registration is open now at the library or online at slaytonlibrary.org/ summer2026. Participants should attend at least five of the seven weeks for the best creative experience possible. Teen Art Showcase is a contest designed to spotlight local talent with a more relaxed pace. Teens are invited to submit original work based on the summer theme, “Plant a Seed, Read,” or a piece they have created in the past. Entries will be publicly displayed at the Slayton Public Library throughout June, during which time a committee of judges will select the winners. While several artists will receive prizes such as gift cards and art kits, one grand-prize winner will be chosen for a paid commission. This commissioned artist will be paid to create a special piece of art for permanent display within the library building.

How to Enter: Artists should bring their works to the library on or before Monday, June 1, 2026. At that time, they will provide their contact information to register. Following the June exhibition, artists will be responsible for picking up their artwork during the first week of July.

These opportunities are available at no cost to the public through the support of several state and regional organizations. The Teen Art Studio is funded by Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the Prairielands Library Exchange in Marshall, MN. Additionally, the Teen Art Showcase is made possible by a grant from the Lyon County Riverboat Foundation in Larchwood, IA. Thanks to these generous organizations, the library is able to provide a welcoming environment where every teen is invited to make their mark this summer.