If life is a blank book, shouldn't we put art in it?

That's the idea being brought to the community by the Forsyth County Public Library in its new collaborative book art project, "Leave Your Mark."

Modeled after Portsmouth, England's Visual Libraries project, the local effort begins this weekend for teens and kids as part of the June 13 kickoff of the county library's Summer Reading Program, and starts later this month for adults. Librarians Audra Eagle, Candace Brennan, and the library staff have created several themed folios of pages which patrons can check out of the library and to which they can add their individual art drawings and materials to the folio book's theme. Themes for adults include "Memories," "Mountains," "Winston-Salem," "Dreams," "Love," and more. You can then "Leave Your Mark" by writing, sewing, drawing, painting, or adding photographs or stickers. Check out a themed book from the Humanities Department at the reference desk in the Central Library on Fifth Street and let it be your journal, notebook, sketchbook, or craft book. Books can be checked out for two-week intervals (no renewals) and can also be put on hold and sent to other branches for pick-up. Patrons are asked to avoid adding bulky art and to not disturb the work of other contributors. Return your book to the library and watch as your art becomes part of a community expression on the theme, shared with and then added to by others - all ages, backgrounds, and talents that we have in the Winston-Salem area.

As of right now, the project is seeking to partner with local art organizations to expand its scope to other branches and promote itself to the larger art community and public. Library organizers also hope the project grows into a future art exhibit: you'll likely see them at future Trade Street "gallery hops" this summer. If your organization is interested in participating in this project, please contact Audra Eagle or Candace Brennan at the Central Library, or visit the Forsyth County Public Library online for further information.

Photos are from Portsmouth, UK's Flickr feed of highlights of their project.