Grab a Book ... And a Tattoo

Gwinnett County Public Library has a Teen Summer Reading program throughout the system that encourage those in grades six-12 to maintain a reading log for rewards of coupons, treats and free books. But there’s some fun and games – and even some cross-cultural interaction - that come along with the program and the put together a summer schedule encouraging teens to come in for a bit and beat the heat.

Teens were allowed to paint the windows in early June and later in the month, a teaching workshop on how to draw comics was held with Kyle Puttkammer. On Tuesday night, volunteers from the community brought their inks to apply henna tattoos for an enthusiastic crowd.

Henna tattoos are temporary body art rooted in religious ceremonies dating back to the Bronze Age. Statuettes and art from the Mediterranean region, especially, reflect women with raised hands showing henna patterns. It is believed to bring blessings and luck; but many enjoy the stains strictly for beauty and aesthetic reasons.

Kathryn Carroll, with the Grayson Branch, explained that the evening would include several volunteers from the community with some experience in henna tattoos and it would allow those with a steady hand and artistic tendencies to try their own hand at the art.

The 20 attendees received instructions from Karen Burton, also with the library, then found tables with inks and kraft paper on which to try their artwork before trying on a friend. The ink lasts about three weeks according to Burton. She and Carroll had experimented in the last few weeks with the materials purchased for the evening.

“The longer you leave it on initially, the longer it will last,” she said.

Volunteer Shivani Singh, who has experience with henna tattoos for family and friend weddings and religious ceremonies, explained that in her experience, the longevity of the dyes could be extended with the use of lemon juice on the stained areas.

Singh, along with volunteers, Emma Ramlall and Sabrina Ramlall, brought drawings from home and the library supplied books showing patterns and “how to” instructions for those who wanted to try on their own.

At 6 p.m. on July 26, the library will coordinate another craft evening with marble magnets. For more information check out the website at www.gwinnettpl.org.