AJ Young has been making things as long as he can remember. With a preschool teacher for a mother, AJ grew up doing crafts and was sewing by early elementary school. For the next decade of his life those experiences stayed in their back pocket until graduate school, when AJ sought hands-on outlets for creativity. “I was spending so much time in my head, reading and writing and thinking for hours at a time,” AJ says. “I was looking for something more concrete -- something with a result I could see within an hour.” Knitting filled that gap for them, which led to quilting, then a bagmaking class, and AJ was hooked. He continued working with textiles until he became the fiber artist he is today. AJ now dabbles in pretty much anything with fiber or textiles -dyeing, weaving, crochet, etc. - but also has a longstanding love for printmaking & mixed media, especially when fabric is involved.
AJ’s personal art practice is heavily influenced by modern, folk, and mixed media art; themes of history, identity, & documentation; as well as his love of books, language, and bold color. Through his residency AJ says he “hopes people explore pieces of history that they may not know about.” They believe “art is really just a way to tell a person’s stories and the stories that interest them.” AJ wants to help people get a sense of how simple creating things can be. “It’s not magic,” he says, “it’s something that can be learned.”
During the day, AJ works in academic support services at Grand Valley State University. He has a Ph.D. in Sociology from Temple University with a focus on LGBTQ+ identities and culture. They are an avid reader and #1 fan of libraries. AJ and his husband Han are currently working towards opening their own creative arts and wellness space in West Michigan.
AJ’s art will be featured at the main library during his time as Herrick District Library’s fall Maker-in-Residence. Library users will have the chance to watch AJ at work in six different drop-in sessions between September 27 and November 8.
AJ will also offer two workshops open to adults and teens. The first, “Mindful Stitching: Fabric Collage” will take place Saturday, October 11 at 10:00 AM in the Groundworks space of the main library. This workshop will introduce attendees to the beginner-friendly practice of mindful stitching by making a fabric collage. The second workshop, “Stitched Memories: Learn to Embroider on Photos and Postcards” takes place on Tuesday, October 14 at 6:00 PM. In this workshop, attendees will practice some basic embroidery stitches before adding stitching to a photo, postcard, or greeting card. Both workshops are applicable for complete beginners and experienced stitchers alike, with all materials provided. Participants will receive their own kit of supplies to keep stitching after each workshop. Workshops are ninety-minutes long and advanced registration is not required. Questions may be directed to groundworks@herrickdl.org.
MAKER-IN-RESIDENCE DROP IN
All ages
Stop by to see current Maker-in-Residence AJ Young work on his craft. These drop-in sessions are open to all and asking our Maker questions about their work is encouraged!
• Saturday, September 27, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
• Tuesday, October 7, 6:00 PM–7:30 PM
• Saturday, October 11, 11:30 AM–1:00 PM
• Monday, October 20, 12:00 PM–4:00 PM
• Monday, October 27, 6:00 PM–8:00 PM
• Saturday, November 8, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Main Library | Groundworks
MINDFUL STITCHING: FABRIC COLLAGE
For adults and teens (registration required)
Saturday, October 11, 10:00 AM–11:30 AM
Main Library | Groundworks
STITCHED MEMORIES: LEARN TO EMBROIDER ON PHOTOS AND POSTCARDS
For adults and teens
Tuesday, October 14, 6:00 PM–7:30 PM
North Branch | Community Room