WESTFIELD — The Westfield Memorial Library has something for everyone every night of the week in mid-June. The library is located at 550 East Broad Street.
On Monday, June 15 at 7:00 p.m., Dr. Kallol Basu presents “The Global Legacy of Rabindranath Tagore.” This program promises to be a soulstirring exploration of poetry, song, and philosophy that spans continents and generations. It traces the powerful legacy of Nobel laureate and polymath Rabindranath Tagore, whose ideas on humanity, spirituality, and creativity resonated far beyond his homeland and influenced the global literary imagination.
Audiences can hear the story of the library’s sixth Artist-in-Residence, Shen Rosen, who will be in conversation with Darrin Owens, President of the Westfield Art Association on Tuesday, June 16 from 7 to 8 p.m.
Ms. Rosen is a 21-year-old artist from Westfield, now based in Plainfield, whose work uses painting to process and express deeply felt emotions. She has written that her paintings emerge from a visceral, preverbal space, transforming lived experience into raw visual form.
During Ms. Rosen’s residency, she will have studio hours on-site, Mondays and Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; and teach a painting workshop for adults on June 29, and a workshop for children (grades 4-6) on July 1. Her artwork can be seen at the library from now until the end of July. The evening will also be livestreamed on the library’s youtube channel.
On Wednesday, June 17 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., “Facing Divorce with Clarity: Legal Insight and Mental Health Strategies That Help” will be presented by family law attorney Heather C. Keith, Esq. and mental health professional Melissa Schwartzman.
According to the presenters, divorce and separation can be overwhelming, emotional, and complex— but how you navigate the process can make a meaningful difference in both your outcomes and your wellbeing. Attendees will learn practical tools to manage stress, communicate more effectively, and make informed decisions during a difficult transition.
On Thursday, June 18 several programs are scheduled. The Mental Health Practitioners Book Club will meet from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to discuss “Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life” by Christie Tate.
This book club is open to local area mental health practitioners, including but not limited to: social workers, psychologists, and nurses. The club meets monthly and members rotate picking books. If interested in joining, email the Group Leader, Janna Hodge at jhtendingthoughtstherapy @gmail.com.
From 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., the Postpartum Support Group facilitated by Kristina Cofone, LCSW-PMH-C of Hope, Healing, & Happiness Counseling Services, LLC will meet. If interested, register at www. hopehealinghappiness counseling.com.
Led by expert crafter and librarian Marge Barkan, Crafterdark will be held from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Crafters are encouraged to bring whatever project they are currently working on, as long as it is portable, and join a group of fellow crafters for fun, encouragement and inspiration. No registration is required.
On Thursday, June 18, the monthslong series of the Fundamentals of Tai Chi with Gang Huang continues from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. These classes, which run on most Thursday evenings through September 24 unless otherwise indicated, must be registered for individually, and each builds upon skills learned in the previous week.
Tai Chi, an ancient practice that originated in China, is proven to boost both mental and physical health. It’s also proven to promote balance and prevent falls; relieve depression, Parkinson’s disease, dementia; and reverse disease progression in osteoarthritis.
Tai Chi helps with insomnia, hypertension, and fibromyalgia and is often referred to as “Meditation in Motion.” Huang leads a hands-on session to work on Tai Chi fundamentals such as joint health, standing meditation, weight shifting and balance, and Tai Chi walking.
He is one of the formal disciples of Master Yang Jun, who is the direct descendent (sixth-generation) of Yang Cheng Fu and of Yang Lu Chan, the creator of Yang Style Tai Chi. Huang is an authorized instructor of Yang Family Tai Chi Association and is currently teaching Tai Chi classes in Bridgewater. to 7:30 p.m.
Westfield Memorial Library is a public library dedicated to providing free and equitable access to information, resources, and cultural experiences for residents of Westfield and the surrounding community. Through innovative programming and responsive services, the library advances literacy, lifelong learning, and civic engagement.
Visit the library’s website at wmlnj.org/ to register for events, sign up for a library card or learn more about library programs and resources. The library is located at 550 East Broad Street and hours are Monday – Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday 1:00-5:00 p.m. The library will be closed Friday, June 19 for Juneteenth and Sunday, June 21 for Father’s Day.
