The Simi Valley Youth Council invites artists of all ages and skill levels to participate in its first ever Book to Action project called Rising Strong: A Path Through Hardship.

The Youth Council will host a community art session on Wednesday, December 15, between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., in the Library's Community Room. This free, all ages event, will allow attendees to design their tiles in a community setting with art supplies provided.  All completed art tiles will be featured in a collective display at the Library in January 2022.

If you are unable to attend the art session, you are invited to pick up your precut paper tiles, available in either 6" x 6" or 6" x 12" sizes, at the Simi Valley Public Library, located at 2969 Tapo Canyon Road, or at Simi Valley City Hall located at 2929 Tapo Canyon Road.

Completed paper tiles can be dropped off at either City Hall or the Library by December 15, 2021.

Background on the Book to Action Project:  This project asks artists to create works that are representative of themes found in Dr. Brene Brown's book, Rising Strong. These themes include overcoming a hardship or "rising strong" when faced with adversity. Rising Strong is the book selected by the Simi Valley Public Library for its second Community Reads Initiative.

Although reading Rising Strong is not required, artists can use the book as inspiration to draw, paint, or sketch images on premade paper tiles that represent a challenge they have overcome or are working to overcome.

"Rising Strong is about recovering from adversity or failure, not allowing our mistakes to hold us back, and moving forward in life," said Youth Council member Abhishek Jagannathan. "The book teaches resilience," Mr. Jagannathan continued, "everyone faces some sort of adversity in their lives, especially in light of COVID-19. Resilience in these times is key, which is why the Youth Council invites community members to participate in this project."

For further information about the Community Reads Initiative or information about the book Rising Strong, visit https://simivallevlibrary.org/community-read. For additional information regarding the Book to Action project, contact Kristin Tignac, Community Services Coordinator, at (805) 583-6766 or ktignac@simivalley.org.