First of three Open Book progams; series funded by Greene County Community Foundation and Humanities Iowa
Grand Junction Public Library will present an Open Book program on Sunday, Oct. 11, at 2 pm featuring author Darcy Maulsby and artist and community activist Seso Marentes.
Open Book takes the approach “that books are our neighbors who share their personal experiences and defining moments. Readers are people who are interested in hearing stories that are really life changing. They engage with each other through small group conversation.”
The conversation, or “open book” that Maulsby will share is “Beyond the Comfort Zone: The Power of the Assist in Farming and in Life.” Maulsby is a fifth-generation farmer and Iowa’s Storyteller. She is the author of rural Iowa history books “Calhoun County,” “A Culinary History of Iowa,” and “Dallas County.” Her latest book is “Iowa Agriculture: A History of Farming, Food and Family” from The History Press.
Seso Marentes is an award-winning artist and a prominent representative of Iowa’s Latino community. He will discuss “Staying True to Yourself: The Journey of an Artist and Community Builder.” His personal experiences and dedication to community have given him a wealth of stories to share. Despite dropping out of middle school, he refused to let that define his future. He overcame numerous challenges, becoming a life mentor to many and emphasizing the importance of individual value and self-discovery.
The conversation with each Open Book presenter will be 30 minutes in length.
Open Book is part of CultureALL and its focus on cultivating collaborative communities. “CultureALL believes that sharing the cultural richness of our community with others will elevate our society and the quality of life for all,” said a CultureALL spokesperson. The program in Grand Junction is made possible by the Greene County Community Foundation and sponsored by the Greene County Librarians Association.
Open Book programs will also be presented at Marchant Memorial Library in Scranton in November and Jefferson Public Library in December. Support for the Open Book programs in Greene County is also provided Humanities Iowa.
