Join the Sawyer Free Library on Wednesday, August 14 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. forthe next Community Creations at Cape Ann Lanes with local sculptor Ryan Kelley who will present the unique art of sculpting trees from wire. These bi-monthly workshops celebrate art by inspiring creativity and building community.
Well known for his distinctive wire tree sculptures, Byfield, Massachusetts-based sculptor Ryan Kelley’s art transcends a variety of media to include his recognizable wire trees growing from stone bases, large-scale metal sculptures, custom metal wall art, 3-D art installations, and much more.
All materials and complimentary pizza dinner provided. For ages 18+. Registration required. For questions, email lryan@sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.
This series is a collaboration between Cape Ann Lanes and the Sawyer Free Library.
Family Fun Event on Saturday, August 10 at 11:15 am
Come learn about, meet & handle (if you’d like!) many types of snakes, some of which are from our local area. Rick Roth and his Cape Ann Vernal Pond team will share their knowledge and enthusiasm as they present science in a unique and fun way and help the Sawyer Free Library celebrate the summer reading theme of Read, Renew, Repeat which strives to bring attention to our natural world.
All ages are welcome at this family-friendly event which will be held on Saturday, August 10 at 11:15am at the Trinity Congregational Church, lower level, 70 Middle Street in Gloucester.
No registration required. For more information visit SawyerFreeLibrary.org or call 978-325-5500. This special event is made possible in part through the generosity of the the Constance T. Rhinelander Fund.
Join the Sawyer Free LibraryAssistant Director Lisa Ryan on Thursday, August 8 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm for an engaging presentation on Niagara Falls feature breathtaking photos and videos captured throughout the seasons. Explore this majestic natural wonder’s formation, cultural impact, hydroelectric development, and ecological considerations. For fun, Lisa will also delve into tales of famous daredevils and offer travel tips.
The presentation will take place at the Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street in Downtown Gloucester. Open to all to attend. No registration needed. If you have questions, email Lisa at lryan@sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.
On Tuesday, August 6th, from 2:00 to 3:00 PM, the Sawyer Free Library will host “Tech Tuesday: Artificial Intelligence.” Led by the library’s Technology Assistant, Joe Wilkins, this introductory session will cover the basics of artificial intelligence. Attendees will learn about the history of AI, understand what AI entails, and explore common applications, including those in everyday use. The presentation will also address ethical and environmental concerns, as well as the benefits and risks associated with AI. Additionally, participants will be introduced to a few simple and free ways to use AI.
Tech Tuesday will take place in the Library’s Meeting Room at 21 Main Street.
Registration is required at sawyerfreelibrary.org. Space is limited. For questions, call 978-325-5500.
On Monday, August 5 from 11:00 to 11:45 am everyone is invited to enjoy a FUN FAMILY CONCERT featuring the award-winning band “Ants on a Long” performing music that centers positivity, social justice, and silliness. Full of humor and harmony, Ants concerts are energetic, interactive, and a delight for children and adults.
Presented by the Sawyer Free Library in collaboration Rockport and Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Libraries,the free concert will take place at Masconomo Park, 60 Beach St, Manchester-by-the-Sea, with the rain location at the Rockport Public Library. For more information visit, sawyerfreelibrary.org
Stories and Service at the Border at the Sawyer Free Library
Local educator and poet Heidi Wakeman traveled to the Arizona-Mexico border in April 2024, where she collaborated with activists from New England, Arizona, and Mexico to learn about and assist people involved in the immigration story. The Sawyer Free Libraryis pleased to welcome Heidi on Thursday, August 1, at 5:30 pm as she shares her experiences and insights through stories and slides about this complex situation, which many consider one of the most important issues of the 2024 presidential election. Heidi’s talk will be conducted in English. Registration is not required. The event will take place at 21 Main Street. For more information, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org.
On Saturday, July 27 from 10 am to 12 pm join Gloucester resident Diane Fraser at the Sawyer Free Library for personalized 15-minute flash tarot readings. Tarot reading is an art form that combines history, art, psychology, and mindfulness, serving as a tool for insight and transformation.
Registration required at sawyerfreelibrary.org. Readings are from 10 AM-12 PM. Specific times will be determined prior to event. Questions? Email Lisa at lryan@sawyerfreelibrary.org. For ages 18+.
Diane Fraser has been working with tarot and cartomancy for over 25 years. She received training in shamanic healing from the Four Winds Society and studied the hermetic arts with Brian Osborne and Mark Stavish. She was a Tarot reader at L’Espalier’s Tarot Tea, Joysource women’s retreats, and MATSU Boston.
On Monday, July 29 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, 1623 Studios will be hosting a taped facilitated dialogue among five community leaders as they discuss race equity in Gloucester inspired by the community-wide book club selection, How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith.
For those interested, there is space for a limited audience to observe the taping. Please note that the audience will only be observing the discussion; they will not have the chance to participate or to appear as a part of the taped program. Registration is required. Space is limited.
The panel, facilitated by Gloucester Racial Justice Co-Chair Michea McCaffrey and Dawn Pratson, of the Gloucester Reads team will include:
Jenny Benedict, Director, Sawyer Free Library Bob Gillis, Tri-Chair, Gloucester 400+ Karen Ristuben, President, Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce Ben Lummis, Superintendent of Schools Peggy Hegarty-Stack, Director, Action, Inc.
Gloucester Reads2024 is a citywide, intergenerational summer reading initiative. Running through August, this community-wide book club aims to spark conversations, inspire new ideas, and encourage introspection about race equity in our community. Co sponsored by the Sawyer Free Library, Gloucester’s Racial Justice Team and Gloucester Health Department, in collaboration with sixteen additional community partners, the summer reading initiative will explore books reflecting Black experiences in America. For more details visit sawyerfreelibrary.org.
Teens and tweens are invited to theSawyer Free Library on Thursday, July 25 from 2:30 to 4:00 pm for a free ice cream float! Start with a vanilla ice cream base and choose from a variety of sodas to make your float.
No registration is required — pop by and bring a friend. Students 6th to 12th grade are welcome.
Together in partnership, the Sawyer Free Library, Gloucester’s Racial Justice Team and Gloucester Health Department, is presenting Gloucester Reads2024, a citywide, intergenerational summer reading initiative. Running through August, this community-wide book club aims to spark conversations, inspire new ideas, and encourage introspection about race equity in our community.
In collaboration with sixteen additional community co-sponsors, Gloucester Reads 2024 will explore books reflecting Black experiences in America. This initiative includes selections for adults, young adults and children. Adults can participate in three ways: reading the book, joining a structured discussion group, and attending the virtual author’s talk.
The summer book club’s main selection is How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith. This acclaimed book, which has won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction, the Hillman Prize for Book Journalism, the Stowe Prize, and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, focuses on the history and present impact of slavery in the United States. Through eight sites, including New Orleans, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, New York City, and Angola Prison, Smith uses archival research and interviews to offer an intergenerational story of how slavery has shaped our nation’s history and memory.
For more information or to sign up for a book discussion, visit, SawyerFreeLibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.
To ensure everyone can participate, Gloucester Reads is offering to cover childcare expenses for those attending discussion groups, the author’s talk, or both. Participants can request funds on the discussion group registration form.
Cape Ann Community 