Families and young artists gathered at the Baldwin Public Library on Saturday to celebrate the Lunar New Year with a hands-on “Year of the Horse” painting party, led by Key to My Art instructor Riesa Fischer.
The program was offered in two one-hour sessions on Feb. 21 to accommodate different age groups. Children in grades K-2 attended the first session at 2 p.m., while students in grades 3-6 participated in a second session beginning at 3:15 p.m. During each session, participants were seated at individual easels and guided step by step through the process of creating a colorful sunset scene featuring a silhouetted horse, a symbol tied to the Lunar New Year.
All materials, including canvases, paints and brushes, were provided by the library, allowing families to focus fully on the experience. Children worked alongside parents and caregivers, learning foundational painting techniques such as blending colors, layering paint and using different brush strokes to create depth and contrast. Fischer demonstrated each step at the front of the room, offering tips and encouragement as participants followed along and added their own creative touches.
The atmosphere was both instructional and relaxed, with conversation and collaboration taking place across the room as families shared ideas and helped one another. Younger participants focused on exploring color and shape, while older children refined details and experimented with their compositions.
At the end of each session, every child left with a completed canvas to take home, serving as both a keepsake and a reflection of their creativity. The event highlighted the Baldwin Public Library’s commitment to providing accessible, engaging programming that brings the community together through art, learning and cultural celebration.
