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A volunteer at the Hamilton Public Library is seen in this file photo.
(Griff, Martin)
HAMILTON -- Grounds For Sculpture and the Hamilton Free Public Library were selected to co-host the national "Big Read" program through May and they will kick off their month-long calendar of events on April 16.
Grounds For Sculpture said in an announcement that the program is "designed to broaden our understanding of our world, our communities and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book" and will do so by exploring the novel "Into the Beautiful North" by Luis Alberto Urrea.
"This program is a great way to promote reading in a community-wide manner," Hamilton Mayor Kelly Yaede said in a statement. "I am so excited by this opportunity for our residents to not only take part in this reading program at the Big Read kickoff but also to learn more about everything our Free Public Library has to offer."
Grounds For Sculpture said Hamilton is one of 75 communities nationwide selected to host the program by the National Endowment for the Arts and managed by Arts Midwest. The project offers grants to support "innovative" community reading programs.
The April 16 kickoff event for The Big Read will be a "community-wide fiesta" held at the Hamilton library with music and local food vendors, Grounds For Sculpture said.
The sculpture garden said free copies of Urrea's novel translated in both English and Spanish will be handed out at the event and local dignitaries will be present including Hamilton Council President Ileana Schirmer.
"Literacy is important to life-long learning," Schirmer said. "This is a fun opportunity for our community to come together, read a wonderful book and participate in art activities and conversations that celebrate our similarities and differences."
The Big Read will sponsor events and workshops throughout April and May at both The Hamilton Township Free Public Library and Grounds For Sculpture. An exhibit on "Into the Beautiful North" by artist Karina Raude will be displayed until July 10 at Ground For Sculpture.
The Big Read events will focus on Urrea's novel's themes of identity, immigration and journey. "Into the Beautiful North" tells the story of a woman trying to protect her Mexican town by seeking help from old community members who have since immigrated to America.
For more information or to view the full calendar listing of events visit groundsforsculpture.org/thebigread.
Lindsay Rittenhouse may be reached at lrittenhouse@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook.