Oceanside CA— Oceanside Public Library is excited to announce the development of an Early Learning and Community Information Hub within its Civic Center Library this summer. Through the Hub, parents and caregivers will have access to more resources to support their children’s early literacy and development—on their own, and within a community of support.
As part of the Hub project, in February 2021, the Library put a call out to local artists who wanted to showcase a piece that would complement the Early Learning and Community Information Hub services. Many wonderful submissions were made by local artists and the final mural selected was, “Fishies,” created by local artist Amanda Oswald.
Additional artwork created by Amanda Oswald will be on display on the second floor of the Civic Center Library, 330 North Coast Highway, and in the Mission Branch Library, 3861-B Mission Avenue, starting mid-June and throughout the summer.
Amanda Oswald lives in Vista, is a native to North County and paints and creates art from home. Drawing inspiration from nature and her surroundings, Amanda enjoys painting and breathing life into space with movement and bright colors, giving her art her unique presence. Amanda finds painting therapeutic and uses it to harness creative energy and release stress. Her mural “Fishies” is a culmination of inspiration from her mother and baby animal series as well as her daily life with her imaginative and nature-loving toddler.
The Early Learning and Community Information project is supported in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library, and the Oceanside Public Library Foundation. The Hub is centrally located in the Civic Center Library first floor and ensures a welcoming, safe, and purposeful environment with staff, volunteers and key community partners experienced in identifying helpful resources, providing online and in-person workshops and generating valuable connections and support. The Hub will serve to empower and improve quality of life for Oceanside families. The grant has provided for additional staffing, redesign of the space inside the Civic Center Library, additional books and materials, and a tabling area for community organizations to provide resources and services.
Amanda Oswald’s mural “Fishies” will be permanently displayed in the Early Learning and Community Information Hub. Additional artwork will be on display at the Civic Center and Mission Branch Libraries throughout the summer 2021.
For more information about the Library, please visit www.oceansidepubliclibrary.org, the Oceanside Public Library’s social media (@oceansidelibrary) or call 760-435-5600.