Date: Fri 03-Oct-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

Booth-Library-Terry-Ali

Full Text:

Finishing Touches: On Safari In The Library Children's Room

BY DOROTHY EVANS

Thanks to combined fundraising efforts by community and school groups, along

with the donation of time and talent by local mural artist Terry Ali, it won't

take long for the Cyrenius H. Booth Library's youngest patrons to feel

comfortable in their new quarters.

When they enter the children's room in the lower level of the new addition,

the youngsters will, of course, be greeted by a familiar face, that of

Children's Librarian Alana Meloni.

Another welcome sight will be the collection of story books, reference books,

magazines, puzzles and cassette tapes finally shelved in the expanded space or

displayed on low tables where the children can enjoy them.

The surrounding walls will have a new look, as well.

Approximately $2,000 in decorating money was raised last spring by the Friends

of the Library and several Newtown High School "Nurtury" students who worked

with early childhood teacher and Library Board member Mary Thomas.

The students, all members of the Class of 2000, led a fund drive to buy

wallpaper by selling spring bulbs door to door.

The wallpaper was purchased, depicting a jungle theme that has served as the

inspiration for a decorative scene painted by Mrs Ali on the large pillar at

the entrance to the room.

"We gave Mrs Ali a strip of the paper to work from," said Library Director

Janet Woycik.

"The border will be up high, but this [painting] is down more on a level where

the younger children can see it. It's wonderful what everyone has done to make

the room more homey," she added.

A Dedicated Muralist

Terry Ali has three young children and she knows how important the library is

to families like hers. She didn't hesitate to donate her time and materials

for the mural project.

She said she had noticed a fanciful mural painted in the temporary library's

Fairfield Hills facility, to decorate the Story Hour Room, completed by

Darlene Spencer, Linda Walker and Cliff Walker.

"It was lovely. I asked the librarians if they would like something similar in

the new children's room and they said `absolutely.' Then I received a phone

call from [library board member] Kathy Geckle giving me the go-ahead," Mrs Ali

said.

"I've done the pillar, but I won't be able to paint any of the walls until we

see where the bookshelves go," she said.

Mrs Ali makes a business of painting decorative accents for people who want a

touch of color or a border to liven up a room.

"I talk to them, discover their tastes and likes, and we go from there," Mrs

Ali said.

Other examples of Mrs Ali's work may be seen around town in several schools as

well as in private homes. Middle Gate School children should be familiar with

one of her projects - the decorative painting of the rabbit hutch in their

school courtyard.

Finding Inspiration

Though Mrs Ali and her family have lived in Newtown for only five years, they

are already on their second house.

"That's how much we like it here," she said.

Jeff Ali is an executive chef working in Stamford where Terry grew up and the

couple has three boys, ages 3, 9 and 12.

Asked how she manages to work on designs and murals with a three-year-old in

tow, she answered, "not easily." Her sister, who also lives in Newtown, is a

big help.

When she's not out on a commission, Mrs Ali said she turns to her own home for

inspiration.

"In our previous Newtown house on Pebble Road, I painted a floral scene, a

safari scene, a tropical scene, and I did hand-painted tiles and a faux window

in a downstairs room. It was hard to move away, but I'm glad the new owner

likes them," Mrs Ali said.

The Alis moved into their Little Brook Lane home just two weeks ago, about the

same time she was completing the library mural. Though there are lots of boxes

still to unpack, she's looking at her unpainted walls and getting ideas.