PARP is back! That is Pick A Reading Partner- a wonderful program put together by our South Orangetown Community Elementary Schools PTA. Ages 4 and up, come join in the PARP fun with Ms. Nancy this Thursday at 4:30 pm and make a Despereaux craft while enjoying a discussion about the book and snacks.

Stop by the library anytime to view our Art Show of the Month- Margaret Dowling- Murphy: Finding a Happy Medium.  The show will be on display throughout the month of April.

Finding A Happy Medium 

This show will feature the work I’ve created after an extended hiatus from the creative endeavors of my earlier life.  I made a homecoming to art in recent years, revisiting familiar mediums, such as acrylic and oil, and exploring new ones, which viewers will witness in this exhibit.  Rejecting the presumption that an artist needs to be one thing, I have allowed myself to explore multiple styles and subject matters in pursuit of the fullest range of artistic expression.   

Following a non-linear path, my personal pursuit has exposed me to different places, professions, and people, all of which have formed my overall experience and unique perspective. As I have gotten older and started to let life show me the way, I have broken out of prescribed plans in order to embrace beautiful chaos and uncertainty in an effort to let go and let life unfold for the purpose of finding that happy medium. While my work is often nature-inspired, I aim to capture beauty in several forms bringing together elements of both realism and abstraction.  As a result, I have embraced a range of subject matter and styles in order to create an eclectic body of work featuring ocean art, landscapes, and abstract pieces. 

Artist Bio 

Margaret Dowling-Murphy is a lifelong art enthusiast, creating artwork using a wide range of styles and mediums including oil, acrylic, woodburning, resin, watercolor, digital, & mixed media.  Often drawing inspiration from nature and the places she’s been along her travels, she enjoys combining elements of realism and abstraction.

A native of Orangetown, she graduated from Siena College with a Bachelor of Arts in English and later earned her Master of Science in Teaching from Pace University.  She taught at Tappan Zee High School for over ten years before starting her own business. She currently lives with her husband, Kevin, and their three children in Pearl River, NY.

Margaret and Kevin established Murphy Wood Art in March of 2020 where they work both individually and collaboratively. Their work and story have been featured by News12 Hudson Valley, Rockland County Times, Hudson Valley Magazine, Canvas Rebel Magazine, Shoutout Colorado, Irish Star, Irish Echo, and Redfin.  

As a member of the Arts Council of Rockland (ACOR), her work has been featured as part of the “Women of ACOR” exhibit at the New City Library and at their Hidden Treasure Galleries at both the Rockland County Courthouse as well as the Palisades Center.  She has held exhibits at the West Nyack Library, Pearl River Library, and is looking forward to her upcoming exhibits at the Dennis P. McHugh Piermont Library (April 2025) and Nyack Library (July-August 2025).  

The Piermont Library’s Spring Craft Fair is coming up on Saturday, May 3rd, from 11am-2pm! Unique gifts and handmade items from various vendors of all ages will be for sale. You might even find the perfect gift for Mother’s Day!

Interested vendors, please contact us at events@piermontlibrary.org

Our Adult Book Club meets once a month to have a lively discussion about a new book. Members work together to pick a variety of books and new members are always welcome! Please call or email the library to be added to our email list (info@piermontlibrary.org).

Adult Book Club is currently meeting on the third Wednesday of the month at 3:00 pm unless otherwise stated. For March, we are reading The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri and meeting at the library on Wednesday, March 19th, at 3:00 pm. Join us!

Join Ms. Nancy for Story and Craft from 4:30 – 5:30!  Our theme for March is Kites to Fly. We will read some stories and create a craft. Recommended for ages 4 – 6.