By John Maruskin

Clark County Public Library

The library hopes to exhibit arts and crafts by local and regional black artists in August and September this year, during Local History Month and Labor Day.

Black artists and crafters interested in displaying work can contact me at john.clarkbooks&gmail.com or by phone at 859-744-5661, ext. 110.

By black “artists” I do not only mean people who had formal art training. Members of Winchester’s black community who do artwork for a hobby or a pastime are invited to display work.

Thanks to Mary Higgins, Tara Hopewell and Kenneth Williams who have already offered to display some of their work in the show.

If you aren’t an artist, but you have a piece by a local black artist, consider loaning the piece to the library for the show.

Part of the library’s mission is to exhibit and archive local and regional art. Local art is an important part of the history and the spirit of this county.

In the past, that history and spirit has been represented by the colorful, expressionistic paintings of Tommy Haggins and the joyous street photography of James Robinson.

This year’s show will not only exhibit work by local black artists, but also provide information about the artists’ life and work.

I’ll begin collecting the art in July. The exhibit will be up from Aug. 1 to Sept. 27.

There are two special programs next week.

At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Clark County’s Top Cat of Zany Cinema, Ron Kibbey, emcees a showing of Laurel and Hardy’s comedy classic, “Way Out West.”

Friendship is at the heart of this 1937 spoof Western.

Stan and Ollie set out to deliver a valuable deed to innocent young Mary Roberts but they are duped by Lola Marcel, a scheming bottle-blonde vaudeville singer who pretends to be Mary and who is aided and abetted by the devious Mickey Finn.

“Way Out West” contains one of the most charming dance sequences ever filmed.

Ron will introduce the film and lead an audience discussion after. There will be soft drinks, candy and popcorn, too. The show is free and open to the public. Register to attend.

From 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 22, will be the 1,000 Cranes Origami Project. According to a Japanese legend, if someone makes a wish and then folds 1,000 paper cranes, their wish will come true.

In modern times, the practice of folding 1,000 cranes supports peace around the world.

During the 1,000 Cranes program, reference librarian Brad Allard will show participants how to fold cranes. The cranes made during class will be collected.

For the rest of the summer there will be a crane-folding station in the library where anyone can fold a crane during library hours and add it to the collection.

Once 1,000 cranes are finished, they will be displayed in the library and eventually shipped to Japan in honor of International Peace Day.

Anyone regardless of age is welcome to participate in the 1,000 Cranes program. Traditional origami paper will be provided.

There will be no Kentucky Picture Show Wednesday, June 19, because of the Kentucky Blood Center blood drive in the Codell Brooks Community Room and youth programs in the Venable Community Room.

At noon Thursday, Book Lunch wades through John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath,” as do all the characters at the end of the novel.

At 10 a.m. Friday, the Write Local clan takes a crack at creating New American writing. What’s new with you?

There’s always good new at the library.

John Maruskin is director of adult services at the Clark County Public Library. He can be reached at john.clarkbooks@gmail.com.