Art, literature, drama and music are an integral part of some households, but many families find that daily duties leave little time for a well-rounded lifestyle. Schools are often forced to cut sports and art-related activities when fiscal belts are tightened. But people’s desire for self expression, cultural awareness, socializing and general enjoyment don’t diminish as time and funds seem to do. These avenues are especially important to young people, as they find their ways in life and find themselves.

Daphne Public Library hopes to help in this area, according to Louise Youngblood, young-adult librarian. Among other activities, the library recently held an art workshop for teens, where a Paint and Pals instructor encouraged teens to flex creative muscles as they painted self portraits in acrylic.

The activity asked teens to think about color choices and how they see themselves, but gently exposed them to the world of painting as a general sketch was already drawn on the canvas. This way, each teen could walk away with a piece that’s ready to hang at home, and with the confidence to consider painting as a possibility for future hobbies or even professions.

Loran Chavez explained that she is a working, professional painter — as in, she works as an instructor at Paint and Pals, while also having her own studio called Brushstrokes & Brilliance and painting realistic, beach-inspired pieces.

“Most people have a job that pays for them to paint in their spare time, but I have a job within the art field,” she explained.

Youngblood reveled in offering area teens Chavez’s expertise and said she’s glad the library can add a wealth of opportunities to young lives.

“A hands-on art workshop creates an experience that acts as a catalyst for imaginative and creative growth,” she explained. “Learning to think outside of the box can bring a student to a higher level of comprehension of life in general. For example, the student is able to pause and see how light can add clarity to a subject or how a shadow can change the tone or mood of a scene. The student now is reading their subject closer, thus resulting in a deeper understanding of their subject.”

She added that the library aims to help in areas where others might fall short.

“Schools have always been pressed for time and money; but, unfortunately, we seem to be pressured more now than ever,” she began. Bringing information and cultural awareness to a community has always been an important goal of all public libraries. The Daphne Library hopes to outwardly acknowledge the cultural needs of our teen patrons by offering this event.”

For more information on teen events and cultural-education opportunities at Daphne Public Library, contact Youngblood at 251-621-2818 extension 211 or dplyoungadult@daphneal.com, or visit daphneal.com. For more information on Paint and Pals, visit paintandpals.com or on instructor and painter Loran Chavez, visit loranchavez.com. More photos of the event can be found on GulfCoastNewsToday.com under the News menu, then Arts and Entertainment section.