Collection Connection

Collection Connection words over cityscape

Wander... Reflect... Record... Connect 

Collection Connection is a joint project between the Mandel Public Library and ArtLife, West Palm Beach, that encourages participants to explore the City, connect with art, and relate their findings to other aspects of their lives. Enjoy over 80 pieces of art throughout our beautiful city!

 

How can I participate?

Pick up your Art Passport at the Mandel Public Library beginning February 12, 2025: 

  • Adults: Visit the 4th floor service desk 

  • For Kids/Teens/Families:  Visit the 3rd floor KidSpace service desk 

Wander through the City: 

  • Adults: Visit ten or more public artworks.

  • Kids/Teens: Visit three or more public artworks.

  • Locations can be found on the West Palm Beach ArtLife map .

Reflect and Record in your Art Passport: 

  • For each piece of art visited, choose any page from your Art Passport, and complete the prompt. 

Connect with Art:

  • You are encouraged to post photos of the artworks and/or your Art Passport pages on Instagram and tag the library and ArtLifeWPB: @mandelpubliclibrary, @artlifewpb

Show us your Art Passport: 

  • Once you have completed the required numbers of artworks, return to the Mandel Public Library and show us your Art Passport to receive a collector’s enamel pin and to be entered to win an art-inspired prize package. 

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Connect with our collection of music, books, audiobooks, and movies!

At the library or out on your art adventure, you have access to all the library has to offer with your library card. Always free.

 

Books to read about art

Be inspired by books.

Factual (Nonfiction)

Why Art? by Elanor Davis 

The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design by Roman Mars  

The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman 

The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair

Keeping an Eye Open: Essays on Art by Julian Barnes

Titian by Peter Humfrey

The Power of Art by Caroline Campbell

The Thefts of the Mona Lisa by Noah Charney

The Upside-Down World by Benjamin Moser

Fiction

Sacre Bleu by Christopher Moore 

The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier

The Unwedding by Ally Condie

 

Find more books and audiobooks, or get recommendations for your next great read!

Books for kids to read about art

Get inspired by these great stories.

Factual (Nonfiction) 

Cultured Donuts: Take a Bite Out of Art History by Chloe Tyler                               

Jake Makes a World by Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts                         

Radiant Child: the story of young artist Jean-Michel Basquiat by Javaka Steptoe     

Fiction

The Artist by Ed Vere 

Doodleville. Art attacks! by Chad Sell 

The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds 

From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Ish by Peter H. Reynolds

Julieta and the Diamond Enigma by Luisana Duarte Armendáriz

Maybe Something Beautiful by E. Isabel Campoy

Mix It Up! by Herve Tullet

Princess Arabella at the Museum by Mylo Freeman

 

Find more books and audiobooks, or get recommendations for your next great read!

Books for teens to read about art

Great stories and more.

Factual (Nonfiction)

Manga for the Beginner Kawaii by Christopher Hart         

How to Draw a Graphic Novel by Balthazar Pagani         

Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers by Deborah Heiligman                   

Ruth Asawa: An Artist Takes Shape by Sam Nakahira               

Augusta Savage: The Shape of a Sculptor’s Life by Marilyn Nelson              

Graphic Novels

Slip by Marika McCoola         

Almost American Girl by Robin Ha                           

Primer: Clashing Colors by Jennifer Muro                 

Fiction

Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi                       

A Pho Love Story by Loan Le                                             

Lux: The New Girl by Ashley Woodfolk         

 

Find more books and audiobooks, or get recommendations for your next great read!

Movies to watch about art

Get immersed in films for art fans.

Persepolis

At Eternity’s Gate

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Basquiat

Between the Folds

We Go Way Back

Words and Pictures

Modigliani

The Fountain

Loving Vincent

Use your library card to stream movies for free.

Kanopy has streaming movies, independent, foreign, and classic films, and content for kids.

Hoopla also has streaming movies, TV shows, exercise videos and more.

Music to listen to while viewing art

Enjoy great music wherever you wander.

Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks by Brian Eno

Takk… by Sigur Ros

As Long as You Are by Future Islands

Loveless by My Bloody Valentine

Depressive Cherry by Beach House 

Antisocialites by Alvvays

A Different Kind of Fix by Bombay Bicycle Club

 

Find more great music on hoopla!

 

                                

Need a library card? Apply online.

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Dates to Remember

Art Passport

  • Collection Connection officially launched on February 12, 2025 and ends on December 31, 2025. 
  • The final day to show your completed Art Passport, collect an enamel pin, and be entered to win a final prize package is December 31, 2025.

Art-Inspired Prize Package Details: 

  • Winners will be announced and contacted by January 9, 2026 
  • Winners do not need to be present to win. 
  • Final prizes will need to be picked up from the Mandel Public Library by January 31, 2026.
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