Arapahoe Libraries is proud to host art exhibits each month at Eloise May, Koelbel and Smoky Hill libraries. Library galleries offer the community a place to view a variety of art at no cost while also providing visibility to local artists. A volunteer art selection committee selects exhibits based on artistic quality, variety of exhibits and the suitability of format for each exhibit space.
Have a question about the galleries or interested in showcasing your art? Visit the Art Galleries page for more information.
Teen Art Show
The 2025 Arapahoe Libraries Teen Art show celebrates the talents of teens across the library district.
This was a juried exhibition. The jury was composed of members of our teen librarian staff and teen interns. This year, we awarded first, second, and third place prizes, along with 11 Honorable Mentions.
First Place: Leo P., 17
“Tropicana”
Oil Painting
About the art:
Realism painting of two angles of a tropicana orange juice box.
Second place: Melat Z., 14
“Coastal Daisies”
Pencil Drawing
About the artwork:
A pencil drawing of daisies growing on the coast of a large body of water.
Third Place: Grace W., 12
“The Popcorn Grabber”
Photography
About the artwork:
"Popcorn Grabber" a hilarious photo of hungry French bulldog!
Rosanne Juergens
Website, opens a new window
Instagram, opens a new window
Photography has allowed me to enhance what I observe here in Colorado, or from my travels, and even from my reading list! For example, I was able to capture the aurora borealis that reached northern Colorado by using a long exposure. Or by using a fast shutter I was able to freeze frame rare Bohemian Waxwings moving quickly swallowing dried crab apples. And by using studio lights I could capture my model wearing attire I created to portray an "old masters" painting of Circe, after being inspired by Madeline Miller’s novel of the same name.”
I strive to bring an artistic touch to my photography to make it something new and exciting. This was achieved through being in the right place at the right time or using subtle tweaks in post-processing. I love when folks ponder at one of my framed images in a gallery setting, or at a post on my social media, wondering how I “got the shot.” The library is a perfect place to exhibit, offering a photographic view to our locale and the world beyond.
Benjamin Hummel
Website, opens a new window
Instagram, opens a new window
Benjamin J. Hummel is a children’s book illustrator, 3D chalk artist, teacher, storyteller, and former puppeteer. Benjamin primarily works in a mixed media technique of acrylic and colored pencil. He has illustrated for large publishers and independent authors, as well as for his own young adult novel about time-traveling teenagers. Benjamin’s life is marked by the fact he was born with an aggressive auto-immune disorder that has resulted in two-transplants, multiple surgeries, and frequent hospital stays.
What is your favorite piece in the show and why?
I don’t really have a single piece that’s my favorite, but I did really enjoy working on the “Little Tales for Restless Charlie” children’s book. Every illustrator’s dream is to have the chance to give their take on the classic fairy tales. The author was very open to my own personal expression, and I had a blast developing the characters and putting them into comical and whimsical situations.
What motivates you to create?
I like to joke that as a young child, my mother discovered I had an aptitude for art and thus she did the unfortunate thing in encouraging me to pursue it. She definitely was a huge influence in my life, both as an early childhood educator and as one of my biggest fans. Beyond that, I also love to tell stories. One big reason I pursued illustration was so that I could tell stories with my drawings and paintings. Text. narratives, and literature, given to me by an art director, author, or friend provide plenty of motivation for developing worlds from my mind’s eye. Finally, my health issues are a major reason I create. Spending many hours in the hospital as a child, I found art was one thing I could do to get my mind off of my situation and that I could work on from a hospital bed. Honestly, with how much I deal with complications of this disease, I’m not sure I could hold any traditional type job. Being an illustrator is the perfect fit for me.
Who are your biggest artists influences?
Someone once looked at my work and described it as a cross between Edward Hopper and Norman Rockwell, and frankly, I can’t really disagree with them. Both are artists whose style and expression I studied extensively in college and as a young adult. As a child, I loved children’s book illustrators such as Bill Peet and Steven Kellogg. I love Van Gogh’s use of color and Gustave Dore’s intricate line work and unique storytelling.
What message do you want your art to convey to viewers?
More than anything, I want to convey a message of hope and of good humor. I understand that life is full of pain and disappointment. This auto-immune disorder can leave me in crippling physical pain sometimes. I don’t care to paint the pain and the heartache. I have enough of that in my life. I’d rather focus on the joys of life. If I can bring a chuckle or a smile to someone’s face as they enjoy my artwork, I feel I have succeeded.