Library Exhibit “Rooted in Black” Celebrates Local Artists

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

The Anderson County Library has turned one of its most creative corners into a celebration of local Black artistry with the debut of “Rooted in Black,” its first-ever Black History Month art exhibition.

The show, on display through February and likely into early March, gathers work from more than two dozen artists—from high school students to established professionals—showcasing a spectrum of talent that stretches across generations and artistic styles.

“This is our first Black History Month show,” said Sara Leady, director of Electric City Creative and Reader Services at the library. “We’ve just recently started operating a gallery out of the library’s makerspace, and I’m hoping it’s going to become an annual show celebrating local Black artists and the incredible stories they tell through their artwork.”

Leady said the idea for Rooted in Black has been on her mind since the makerspace opened.

“We have some really phenomenal talent in the area that isn’t always noticed,” said Leady. “I wanted to give these artists space to honor their work and what they’re doing with it.”

The exhibit can be viewed during the makerspace’s open-creation hours—Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1-7:30 p.m., Thursdays from 1-6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Leady said visitors can also request access at other times when staff are available.

The makerspace itself, on the second floor of the library’s main branch, has become a small but powerful hub for creativity. 

“My joke is that a makerspace is just a space where you can make,” Leady said with a smile. “We’ve got a lot of different art equipment—Cricuts, sewing machines, fine art supplies, even a Mac with Adobe Creative Cloud for design work. People can come in and learn, experiment, or just make something.”

Alongside the new gallery, the library hosts regular creative classes, from digital design and comic making to short-story writing workshops. Many of these tie into the library’s “Literarily Overdue” magazine, which publishes original short fiction and comics by local teens and adults each year.

Feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive, Leady said.

“People are often surprised by everything we offer. They don’t think of the library as a place where you can use a Cricut or fix something with a sewing machine—but that’s what we’re here for.”

After Rooted in Black, the makerspace will be busy preparing for its fifth annual Artist Slam on February 6 at the Anderson Arts Center—a timed competition where participants transform a mystery box of materials into finished artwork in just two hours.

Leady said she hopes “Rooted in Black” helps the community see both the library and local Black artists in a new light. 

“Art tells stories that connect us,” she said. “And this space—this library—exists to make those stories visible.”