Local author kicks off library series at SRU
Slippery Rock University’s Bailey Library, 104 Central Loop, will host its inaugural writer’s meeting with local children’s book author Andy Johnson. He will be joined by his illustrator, Donna Edmonds.
The event will start at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 4, in the Special Collections Room (Room 311). It is open to the public and free to attend.
Judy Silva, head archivist at the library, said the event came together by happenstance.
“This is officially a new series,” Silva said. “We wanted to bring in local authors.
“It’s kind of funny. We were kicking around the idea when Andy came by to drop off copies of his book,” Silva said. “He would just be perfect. He’s very personable and a good speaker.
Sara Dickensheets, library assistant II, said Johnson will discuss writing books and his writing process along with Edmonds.
Dickensheets said the event will be of interest to English students, art students and even education majors.
Johnson, an alumnus of SRU, has written three children’s books, “The River Adventures of Princess Daphne,” “Sid’s Backyard” and “Chimney Swift Magic.”
Johnson is a retired guidance counselor and a retired philosophy professor who founded three creative writing magazines. He continues to teach creative writing at SRU’s Institute for Learning in Retirement. He is working on a book of Buddhist-influenced poetry with art from a local artist.
“Fine art is intentional and directional, and hopefully, it leads the reader or purveyor of art into a New World. Discovery and delight are the two most important goals of the creative artist for the audience,” Johnson said.
“What we say, sing, paint, or dance must be available to our audience. If it is the stage, gallery, bookstore, or digital recording, we must exert our integrity on behalf of our audience, “ he said.
“Mining the unconscious, reflecting on our travels, inspecting our hardships, or merely recording our discoveries have the potential for real teaching and sharing no matter what we have to express. Since the divine is in everything, and everywhere the light we need and the love we crave can be shared and revealed,” he said.
Dickensheets said the first author event is “pretty exciting. We’re hoping to make this into a series and bring in another author or someone to talk about their work.”
Silva said, “This is coming on the tail end of finals week, so parking on campus won’t be so much of a challenge.”
Silva added she hopes to add an event in October in the archives of the library focusing on local history.
