About
All Alexandria Reads Facilitated by the Alexandria Library, this program is designed to create shared experiences through reading. Everyone is invited to read the featured title and selected books for younger readers. Join the events and discussions that relate to the themes of Priceless.
About Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World’s Stolen Treasures “Entertaining...crime buffs will receive a painless education while they enjoy a lively account of art thieves and the man who pursued them.” --Kirkus Reviews “Almost every case he recounts has enough intrigue and suspense for a Hollywood screenplay.” --The Washington Post “Riveting... superbly crafted...absolutely, hands down the best book ever written on art crime.” --Associated Press
Similar “Read-Alike” Books For Younger Readers Picture Books
I’m the Best Artist in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry William and the Missing Masterpiece by Helen Hancocks
Chapter Book
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
Young Adult (YA) Tokyo Heist by Diana Renn
Library Events BEATLEY CENTRAL 5005 Duke Street
Coloring Masterpieces
MONDAY, APRIL 3, APRIL 17 & MAY 1 ALL DAY Create an artistic masterpiece with our coloring pages and colored pencils. Hang your completed work of art in our gallery (all ages).
Pre-K Art Class: Cubism MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2 PM
Explore different art concepts in this program designed just for preschoolers! Class size limited to 10 children. First come, first served - please arrive early and pick up a ticket starting at 1:30 PM (ages 3-5 with an adult).
Maker Cart Madness: Pollock Paintings TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 7 PM
Join us to make Jackson Pollock style abstract paintings with a selection of nontraditional art supplies like toothbrushes, marbles, feathers, and more! Please arrive early. Space is limited (ages 8+).
Teen STEAM Club: Boat Builder Challenge WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 6:30 PM
Making a boat float seems easy enough, but can you do it with a small budget and limited materials? Teens will test their knowledge of buoyancy and see if they will make their getaway by sea or be caught! Space limited. Please arrive early (ages 13-18).
The Heist: Escape Room
SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 12 PM
You are a detective on the trail of an international art thief. The security system has locked you in at the scene of the crime. Solve the crime and escape the room before time runs out. Walk-ins welcome, but registration is suggested. Please call 703-746-1751 to register. Sponsored by EscapeQuest (all ages).
Mobile Art Lab
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 2 PM
The City of Alexandria’s Mobile Art Lab will be stopping by to inspire creativity and creation with innovative and traditional art supplies and equipment. Please arrive early. Space is limited (ages 8+).
Inside the Royal Tombs of Sipán MONDAY, APRIL 10, 7 PM
In Priceless, Robert Wittman recovers a stolen artifact of the Moche civilization of Peru. Now it resides in a permanent exhibit at the National Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum. See a presentation from Mercedes Morales Kelly, who worked closely with the lead archaeologists and provided official tours of the museum.
Maker Cart Madness: Leather Bookmarks
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 7 PM
Using leather stamping tools, create your own unique bookmarks to take home (ages 8+).
Hands-on History Animation Workshop WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2 PM
Make three optical toys – thaumatropes, zoetrope strips, and flip books – and learn about the history, science, and art of twodimensional animation (ages 9+).
Make & Take: Cherry Blossom Stamping and Candy Sushi WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 7 PM
Celebrate cherry blossom season in Washington, D.C., by creating your own cherry blossom craft and making delicious sushi out of candy (all ages with an adult).
A Night with Crime Scene Investigators
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 7 PM
Alexandria Police Crime Scene Investigators explain the work they do every day (ages 16+).
Be the Crime Scene Investigator THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2 PM
Calling all junior investigators! The Alexandria Police Department teaches us how science helps solve criminal cases. See if you can solve the mystery of the missing library card (ages 8+).
PBS POV Documentary Screening FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2 PM
Join us for the screening of the POV Documentary, Art and Craft. This event is in collaboration with the award-winning documentary series POV (www.pbs.org/ POV).
Maker Cart Madness: Button Making TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 7 PM
Design and create your own lapel buttons with our button maker machine (ages 8+).
Teen Makerspace: No Sew Workshop WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 6:30 PM
Don’t know how to sew or don’t have a sewing machine? Come learn methods for making pillow cases and blankets without needle and thread. Space is limited. Please arrive early (ages 13-18).
Author Talk with Bianca Bosker WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 7 PM
Bianca Bosker, award-winning journalist, has written about food, wine, architecture, and technology for publications such as The New Yorker online, The Atlantic, The New York Times, Food & Wine, and The Wall Street Journal. Her latest book, Cork Dork, recounts her experience and training to be a sommelier in New York.
Author Talk with Claudia Kalb THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 7 PM
Author Claudia Kalb will be discussing her book Andy Warhol Was a Hoarder: Inside the Minds of History’s Great Personalities.
Oriental Brush Art
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1 PM
Learn the ancient art of Oriental Brush Painting in this workshop led by artist Darlene Kaplan. All materials will be provided. Please call 703-746-1751 to register.
Maker Cart Madness: Wire Sculpture TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 7 PM
Use flexible wire to create your own wire sculptures just like artist Alexander Calder (ages 8+).
(Young) Adulting 101: Car Basics WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 7 PM
Everyone should know the basics of their cars, especially if you need to make a quick getaway! We will learn how to check fluids, change windshield wiper blades, check air levels in tires, and change a tire. This is something newly driving teens and adults should know before hitting the open road. Space is limited. Please arrive early (ages 13+).
Fakes and Forgeries: Fooling the Experts with Ken Farmer WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 7 PM
For over forty years, Ken Farmer has been working in the antiques business. He began
his career as a dealer in American fine and decorative arts and has become a valued authority in many areas. Farmer has appeared on Antiques Roadshow since its inception in 1996 as a specialist in folk art, furniture, decorative arts and musical instruments.
create baseball card-sized pieces of art for artists to trade with each other. Local artist Laura Hummel will provide materials for you to make your own ATCs. Keep one for yourself and trade another away. Space is limited. Please call 703-746-1713 to register (ages 18+).
Pottery Demo
Adventures in Art
SATURDAY, MAY 6, 12 PM
Join us as volunteers from Alexandria Clay CO-OP demonstrate wheel-thrown pottery techniques (all ages).
Hanadi Karara, Palestinian Visual Artist SUNDAY, MAY 7, 2 PM
Join Hanada Karara, a Palestinian Visual Artist whose visual art explores the Muslim female experience, in a presentation of her videos and photographs. She will discuss her work and ask for reactions and interpretations from attendees.
BARRETT BRANCH 717 Queen Street
Priceless Treasure Hunt at the Barrett Library SATURDAY, APRIL 1 to SUNDAY, APRIL 30, ALL DAY
Download the app Scavr (on iTunes and Google Play) and start your search or stop by the information desk to pick up a paper copy of the treasure hunt. Can be played individually or in teams. The first five to correctly complete the most challenges win a prize (all ages).
Great Artists Coloring
TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 7 PM
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 18 & 25, 3 PM
Drop in each Tuesday and have fun exploring art mediums like collage and play clay. There will be a different activity each week (ages 2+).
Priceless Art History
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 7 PM
Attend a lecture by Erin Devine, Associate Professor of Art History and Director of the New Gallery for Contemporary Art at NVCC. Dr. Devine will review great works in history along with art and artifacts featured in the book Priceless.
Italian for Tourists
MONDAY, APRIL 24, 7 PM
Planning a trip to visit the fabulous museums in Italy? Join a member of the Barrett staff, who is a native Italian speaker, to brush up on essential phrases for touring Italy. Call 703-746-1713 to register.
Bill Jenkins’ World of Music
SATURDAY, MAY 6, 11 AM
Bill collects instruments from around the world, many from the countries whose stolen artwork is featured in the book Priceless. Come and sing along with Bill. You will get a chance to play some of his fascinating instruments yourself in this family program (all ages).
Enjoy a relaxing evening by coloring the paintings of famous artists. All supplies provided (ages 18+).
BURKE BRANCH
Plein Air Sketching Workshop
Ancient Discoveries, Recent Findings
Have you been curious about “plein air” (outdoor) sketching but didn’t know where to start and what tools you need? Come give it a try with two local artists using simple materials that make great plein air sketching tools. All materials provided. Space is limited. Location TBD. Please call 703-746-1713 to register (ages 18+).
Explore the history of three famous archaeological discoveries and how current research changed our interpretations. Program is presented by Sarah Liberatore, art history professor at NVCC.
SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 10 AM
Artist Trading Cards
SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2 PM
Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) were created in 1997 by a Swiss artist with the idea to
4701 Seminary Road MONDAY, APRIL 3, 7 PM
Art Smart
TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 10 AM & 11:15 AM
Join art educators from Abrakadoodle as they guide your little artist in a hands-on visual arts project inspired by I’m The Best Artist in the Ocean. Space is limited. Please call 703-746-1773 to register (ages 1-6 with an adult).
All Alexandria Reads is made possible through a generous grant from the James M. Duncan, Jr. Library Foundation, Inc.
Detective Arts and Sciences TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 4 PM
Design your own spy gadgets and learn how detectives use fingerprinting and other methods to search for clues. Space is limited. Please arrive early (ages 8-14).
Let’s Build with Legos®
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 5 PM
Use your creativity and imagination to build cool Lego® structures. The theme for this session is Lego® Masterpieces (ages 5+).
Alexandria Archaeology
SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 11 AM
Did you know the City of Alexandria has an archaeology program? Learn about the program and see some historic finds from Alexandria.
Make Your Own Masterpiece MONDAY, APRIL 24, 4 PM
Join art educators from Abrakadoodle as they guide young artists in a hands-on visual arts project inspired by the From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Space is limited. Please call 703-746-1773 to register (ages 6-14 with an adult).
Transferring Valuable Property TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 4 PM
From a legal perspective, learn the different ways to ensure your heirlooms/valuables can be transferred to family members. Chris Wright, JD, will discuss Virginia laws, wills and general estate planning.
Paint & Sip
SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2 PM
Come join an art educator who will guide you to paint a masterpiece in your own style. Non-alcoholic drinks will be provided. All supplies will be furnished. Space is limited. Please call 703-746-1771 to register (adults only).
Mobile Art Lab
MONDAY, MAY 1, 5 PM
A Night with Crime Scene Investigators THURSDAY, MAY 4, 7 PM
Alexandria Police Crime Scene Investigators explain the work they do every day (ages 16+).
Cultural Property and Art Repatriation SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2 PM
Learn about cultural property and art repatriation from distinguished lawyer, Thomas R, Kline. Kline will also share examples from his successful cases, and his ideas of current events in the field.
Scooby Doo Film Festival
SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 10 AM
Scooby Doo, Where Are You (1969 © Warner Bros.) TV-G Spend your Saturday eating popcorn and watching Scooby and the gang unmask ghouls, ghosts, goblins and solve criminal capers (all ages).
Pre-K Story Time and Craft TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 4 PM
Join us for a special All Alexandria Reads edition of our weekly Pre-K Story Time Program. We will read I’m the Best Artist in the Ocean, William and the Missing Masterpiece, and other AAR-inspired picture
Current Trends in Arts and Antiques: Where did all the value go and how do I find it?
books (ages 3-5 with an adult).
Matthew Quinn, of Quinn’s Auction Galleries, will discuss 150 years of collecting economics and answer questions such as “What is going on in the market today?” and “Why don’t my kids want my stuff?” Providing historical context, he will teach you how to find the treasures in your house and make sure you don’t donate or throw them away.
Sculpt your own masterpiece using fast drying clay, then use washable paint to decorate it (all ages).
TUESDAY, MAY 9, 4 PM
DUNCAN BRANCH
2501 Commonwealth Avenue Kids Crafting
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 3:30 PM
Join us for this special All Alexandria Reads edition of our monthly Kids Crafting program. Join Ms. Venetta in making an AAR-inspired craft (ages 6-12).
Make Your Own Masterpiece FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 4 PM
Paint, Sculpt, Color
SATURDAY, MAY 6, 10 AM
LOCAL HISTORY/ SPECIAL COLLECTIONS 717 Queen Street
Karenee Wood on Museum and Tribe Collaboration WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 1:30 PM
Karenne Wood, an enrolled member of the Monacan Indian Nation, will be discussing her experiences as a Repatriation Specialist for the Association on American Indian Affairs. She is the Director for the Virginia Indian Programs at the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. Come learn about how museums and tribes are working together to return culturally significant items to their creators.
Paint your own masterpiece using canvas board and acrylic paint. Socialize with other teens, and enjoy free snacks (ages 12-18).
The Mobile Art Lab stops by for a visit to encourage adult creativity.
Interested in more programs? Visit alexlibraryva.org or your local library branch for additional events, programs and movie showtimes!
Sponsors All Alexandria Reads is made possible through a generous grant from the James M. Duncan, Jr. Library Foundation, Inc. Additional partners and sponsors include the following local businesses and organizations:
BOOK DISCUSSION GROUPS BARRETT BRANCH
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 7 PM
BURKE BRANCH
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2 PM
BEATLEY CENTRAL
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 7 PM
DUNCAN BRANCH
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 7 PM
Questions to think about while reading Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World’s Stolen Treasures ¤ What value does art have to a culture? ¤ Do you think the justice/legal system should take art crime more seriously? ¤ How do you think the author was affected by the death of his colleague? ¤ Part of undercover work is befriending a criminal and then betraying them. Do you think this would be difficult? ¤ Some famous museums hold artifacts from other countries in their collections. Do you think they should be returned? Would you feel the same if that country couldn’t guarantee the protection of the artifact? ¤ Not all heirlooms or artwork have high monetary value, but might be priceless to the owner. Do you own such an item? Why is it meaningful?
Alexandria Library Locations Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
James M. Duncan, Jr. Branch Library
Local History/Special Collections
Alexandria Law Library
5005 Duke Street 703.746.1702
4701 Seminary Road 703.746.1704
717 Queen Street 703.746.1703
2501 Commonwealth Avenue 703.746.1705
520 King Street, LL 34 703.746.4391
717 Queen Street 703.746.1706
VISIT ALEXANDRIA LIBRARY, ITS WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK PAGE, FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS INITIATIVE AND OTHER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.
alexlibraryva.org