Ask the Artist with Library Reception Tonight

If you have ever wanted to learn more about local artist Anne Nydam and how she creates her works, tonight may be one of your best opportunities.

Nydam is currently exhibiting her wood and rubber block relief prints at the Weston Public Library, where she is Artist of the Month for July. The Needham resident will kick off her show, "Interesting Things," on tonight, July 12 from 7- 8:30 p.m. with an artist talk and reception.

Guests tonight will have the opportunity to ask the artist about her work, as well as to view a carving demonstration, a display of her tools and the various stages involved in the process.

"I just like to look around and see what catches my interest," Nydam said on her inspirations.

Among the objects depicted in her carvings are animals, plants, antique cars, and scenes from stories and nursery rhymes.

"What I like to try to do is consider everything as something that's worth looking more closely at," she related. "I hope people will be reminded to take a closer look and appreciate all the stuff around them."

Nydam had dabbled in arts and crafts all her life before stumbling upon a job as an art teacher. Though she had originally applied to teach English and German, the school was in need of help in their art department.

"I said sure, I can do that," she recalled of the offer. "I ended up learning on the job."

As a teacher, Nydam received a free sample of rubber and realized she had found her calling in carving block prints.

Nydam is also an author and illustrator of children's books, some of which will be on display at tonight's event.

The Weston Public Library is located at 87 School St. in Weston. Nydam's work can be found on her website, www.nydamprints.com.