Literature for the locals – BookPeople of Moscow commemorates second anniversary of Moscow First Thursday

For over 40 years, BookPeople of Moscow has provided  the community an opportunity  to come together  and discover literature.

Jesica DeHart, co-manager  and buyer at BookPeople,  said the bookstore”s goal has  always been to connect with other local  businesses and artists – a goal which  eventually led to the formation of Moscow  First Thursday.

The purpose of the monthly event is  to gather people in Moscow to appreciate  artwork.

One of BookPeople”s upcoming and  highly anticipated events for Moscow  First Thursday is a showcase of artwork  by children”s book illustrators.

The event, which marks the two-year  anniversary of Moscow First  Thursday, is hosted by BookPeople and  will begin at 5 p.m. on Thursday at One  World Cafe.

DeHart said the event will feature  the artwork of Scott Nash, Nancy Gibson  Nash and Rilla Alexander.

DeHart said the best thing about  this collection of work is that the  three artists each have their own distinctive  styles.

“I am really drawn to exceptional  children”s book illustrations,” DeHart  said. “Especially illustrators who have  both a visually identifiable style but can  also do a broad range of work.”

DeHart said Alexander”s work is  simplistic with a lot of movement expressions,  while Nash”s visual artwork  is detailed and Scott”s illustrations are  “charismatic.”

DeHart said one of Scott”s books,  “The High Skies Adventures of Blue Jay  the Pirate,” is a bookstore favorite.

“I have loved reading the first chapter  of this book aloud during school  field trips to the store,” DeHart said.  “It combines a love of birds with an  irresistible story … His drawings have  so much charisma and detail to them  and his range is epic.”

DeHart said she is excited that  BookPeople is able to put on the  event to commemorate the anniversary  of Moscow First Thursday  because she enjoys the way First  Thursday appreciate the arts  in a way that brings the  community together.

“It is so fun to see so  many people out strolling  downtown, whether in the  dark of winter or in the  warmth of fall,” DeHart  said. “It is a great way for  artists and musicians to get their  work out and for businesses to get  foot traffic through their door.”

DeHart, who has worked for the  bookstore for four years, said her  responsibility is to assist in book buying  and event planning.

In addition to buying and planning  for the bookstore, DeHart said  she also collaborates with local  schools, hospitals and non-profits to  come up with creative projects.

“When you spend a lot of creative  energy and enthusiasm creating  brilliant and exciting events then of  course you want to entice people to  come and experience them,” DeHart  said. “My responsibility comes from  my own personal sense of ambition  for wanting to entice people  to experience all that BookPeople  has to offer from displays, books,  merchandise, events, philanthropic  giving and community partnership  and outreach.”

Future events at BookPeople  include visits from authors Terry  Tempest Williams, a recipient of  the Robert Marshall Award from  The Wilderness Society in 2006, and  Brooke Williams.

The two authors will speak at  5:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at the 1912 Center.  In addition to hosting readings by  noted artists and authors, the store  also holds special discount days for  students every Friday.

Luis Torres  can be reached at  [email protected]

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