Princeton Public Library - Home

Beth and Jonathan Evans, internationally known batik artists, discuss their craft and recently published book, "A Book of Batik," at this virtual event on Zoom.

About the Book (from the publisher):
"A Book of Batik" is an art book, generously illustrated with a rich diversity of samples of Beth and Jonathan Evans work - dating back, in Jonathan’s case, to Ibiza in the early 1970s - that also functions as a dual autobiography. Both are well-traveled and cultured people and fine writers, and Jonathan in particular is a gifted weaver of tales. His section of the book includes a lovely, serendipitous account of “How I Met and Joined Forces with Beth” as well as “Making Lemonade Out of Lemons: Or, How I built a batik factory in my garden and a killer virus saved our bacon in a pandemic”. (It all started when a friend asked Jonathan to batik images of the Covid-19 virus on a scarf)." - Ethan Casey, Publisher, Blue Ear Books

Beth and Jonathan Evans are internationally known batik artists who have created, shown, and taught their art all over the world. With combined experience of more than ninety years working in the batik medium, they both have led dedicated and adventurous lives in art. They own and run Shalawalla Gallery, housed in an old train boxcar in La Veta, Colorado, USA.

This event was recorded February 16, 2025.

About the book (from the publisher):

Five-year-old Leilani Pierson has been missing for over a decade. Amateur detective Frankie Elkin is an expert at finding missing persons. But this case has unusually high stakes. The request comes from Leilani’s sister Kaylee, a convicted serial killer weeks away from her execution date.

The main suspect in the kidnapping? Kaylee’s ex-boyfriend, a tech billionaire who has hidden himself away on a remote base camp near Hawaii.

Determined to find the missing girl – alive – Frankie embarks on a dangerous mission. Up against a ticking clock and an incoming tropical storm, will Frankie Elkin learn the truth and save Leilani before it’s too late?

About the Author:

Lisa Gardner, a #1New York Times bestselling thriller novelist, began her career in food service, but after catching her hair on fire numerous times, she took the hint and focused on writing instead. A self-described research junkie, she has transformed her interest in police procedure and criminal minds into a streak of internationally acclaimed novels, published across 30 countries. Her novel, "The Neighbor," won Best Hardcover Novel from the International Thriller Writers. She has also been honored for her work with animal rescue and at-risk children. An avid hiker, gardener and cribbage player, Lisa lives with her family in New England.

About the Moderator:

Amy Jo Burns is the author of the memoir "Cinderland" and the novel "Shiner," which was a Barnes & Noble Discover Pick, NPR Best Book of the year, and “told in language as incandescent as smoldering coal,” according to The New York Times. Her latest novel, "Mercury," is a Barnes & Noble Book Club Pick, a Book of the Month Pick, a People Magazine Book of the Week, and an Editor’s Choice selection in The New York Times. Amy Jo’s writing has appeared in The Paris Review Daily, Elle, Good Housekeeping, and the anthology "Not That Bad."

This event was recorded on January 12, 2025.

About the Book (from the publisher):

After over 175 years, the feminist movement, now in its fourth wave, is at risk of collapsing on its eroding foundation. In "Faux Feminism", political philosopher Serene Khader advocates for another feminism—one that doesn’t overwhelmingly serve white, affluent #girlbosses. With empathy, passion and wit, Khader invites the reader to join her as she excavates the movement’s history and draws a blueprint for a more inclusive and resilient future.

A feminist myth buster, Khader begins by deconstructing “faux feminisms” and through critical inquiry begets a new vision of feminism: one that tackles inequality at the societal, not individual, level and is ultimately rooted in community.

About the Author: Serene Khader is professor of philosophy at the CUNY Graduate Center and author of "Decolonizing Universalism: A Transnational Feminist Ethic." She holds the Jay Newman Chair in Philosophy of Culture at Brooklyn College, and her work on global women’s issues has been published in outlets such as the New York Times. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and 2 children. Find her online at www.serenekhader.com and on Twitter (@serenekhader).

About the Moderator: Alma Khasawnih Assistant Professor in the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at The College of New Jersey. Her current monograph project examines ephemeral visual culture production of the 25 January Egyptian Revolution as a site of orienting and reorienting nationalism and citizenship debates. alma is interested in transnational feminist geography and undoing the nation-state as a site of collectivity.

This event was recorded on February 11, 2025.

This recording is presented in partnership by Princeton Public Library and the Princeton Environmental Film Festival. A panel of Princeton-area artists will explore how they ensure their creative processes are eco-friendly and aligned with sustainable practices.

From the thoughtful selection of materials to innovative techniques, the panelists are united by their commitment to reducing the environmental footprint of their work while fostering meaningful connections between art and sustainability. The discussion will explore the integration of sustainable materials, eco-friendly techniques, and ethical practices in the artistic process.

Through personal stories and professional insights, the panelists will share their journeys of adopting green practices, overcoming challenges, and influencing both the art world and environmental advocacy. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how sustainable art can inspire change and contribute to a greener future without compromising creativity.

About the Panelists:
Susan Hoenig creates nature-inspired artwork that highlights the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the relationships between habitats, plants, and animals. Reimagining Constructivist Art, her work addresses ecological issues while celebrating the land’s beauty and fostering environmental awareness. A Puffin Foundation Grant recipient and Indigenuity Contest winner, she has also contributed to ecological research and presented her 'Biodiversity Paintings' lecture at the Washington Crossing Audubon in 2022.

Mary Waltham is an environmental artist whose work explores the fragility of our natural world through the dual lenses of science and art. She works across various media, including drawing, painting, video, and installation, often incorporating locally sourced natural materials such as soil, bark, moss, and wood. Through her art, Mary seeks to spark meaningful conversations by bringing landscapes to life in the context of pressing environmental challenges.

Karen Tuveson, a multifaceted artist and community arts advocate, approaches her studio as a creative laboratory where she merges artistic experimentation with eco-conscious values. Her work delves into nature’s intricate layers of light, texture, and color, capturing its dynamic balance while inspiring reflection on humanity’s environmental stewardship. Committed to sustainability, she carefully sources local, eco-friendly materials, aligning her creative process with the natural cycles she depicts and honoring the harmony of the natural world.

Moderator:
Mic Diño Boekelmann is a Filipino American artist, educator, and facilitator born in Quezon, Philippines. As a multidisciplinary artist, her work seamlessly bridges the realms of art and activism, with a focus on climate change, sustainability, and social justice. In addition to her creative pursuits, she is the founder of The Orange Door, a contemporary art space in Princeton, New Jersey, where she champions the arts and their role in fostering community engagement and awareness.

This event was recorded on January 14, 2025.

This recording is presented in partnership by Princeton Public Library and Princeton Public Schools. The Princeton Public Schools will offer a presentation about the upcoming bond referendum questions followed by a Q&A.

The municipality of Princeton will see over 1,000 new residential units in the next few years, and the school district will soon be welcoming new students into the schools. The PPS facilities need immediate expansion and improvements to continue to provide high-quality programming, maintain elementary class sizes and honor our tradition of neighborhood schools.

We invite you to learn more about the Jan. 28 facilities bond referendum, which prioritizes cost-effective, value-based facility improvements. The referendum allows PPS to access $19.9 million in state debt service funding. It will appear on the Jan. ballot in the form of three questions:

QUESTION 1
Community Park Elementary expansion/renovations
Princeton High School end-of-life HVAC replacement and rehabilitation
Cost: $37.9M
Est. annual tax impact**: $222
Est. debt service aid: $11.4M

QUESTION 2*
Princeton Middle School expansion/renovations
Princeton High School renovations
Cost: $38.3M
Est. annual tax impact** of Q1 + Q2: $447
Est. debt service aid for Q1 + Q2: $18.5M
*Question 1 must pass for Question 2 to pass

QUESTION 3*
Littlebrook expansion/renovations
Cost: $12.9M
Est. annual tax impact** of Q1 + Q2 + Q3: $532
Est. debt service aid for Q1 + Q2 + Q3: $19.9M
*Questions 1 and 2 must pass for Question 3 to pass

**Based on average assessed home value of $853,136

The district has taken into careful consideration the needs of the students, their families and the Princeton community in planning for this referendum. This is a fiscally responsible plan that will expand capacity, renovate common areas and outdated facilities, and allow the district to continue the exceptional education and student experiences at Princeton Public Schools.

This event was recorded on January 13, 2025.

This recording is presented in partnership by Princeton Public Library and Princeton University Concerts. Pianist and writer Stephen Hough discusses his collection of essays, "Rough Ideas" in advance of the performance on Feb. 20 featuring Hough and the Takács String Quartet.

Hough is also a composer and painter, and has been described by The Economist as one of “Twenty Living Polymaths.”

This event was recorded on January 10, 2025.