Branches at the Carnegie Grand Reveal of Children's Art Gallery on April 19

AlmostFreeToAll (AFTA), a local nonprofit, will celebrate the Grand Reveal of the Children's Art Gallery at Branches at the Carnegie located at 175 Almond Street, on Sunday, April 19, at 3 p.m., transforming a historic interior staircase with vaulted ceiling into a gallery dedicated to Auburn's youngest artists. The gallery will feature rotating displays of artwork created by local children, making it the only space in the building dedicated to ongoing exhibitions. Children's artwork will line the stairway walls, and a special community-crafted art installation will be unveiled. Envisioned by local artists Sidne Allinger and Nicole Hunter, the one-of-a-kind piece incorporates handcrafted elements created by community participants and will hang from the tall stairwell ceiling, welcoming visitors as they descend toward the gallery below. "The stairwell gallery has a playful treehouse feeling that children immediately love," said Diane Gilbert, AFTA board member. "It's a place where their creativity can be proudly displayed." During the event, AFTA will honor the Auburn Sugar Plump Fairies who provided the first grant to AFTA in support of the vision of turning the vacant Auburn Carnegie Library into a center that supports arts, culture and community under the Branches at the Carnegie program. The Sugar Plump Fairies early belief in AFTA helped bring the Children's Art Gallery to life. Known throughout Auburn for their whimsical artistry and their Artrageous Grants Program, the Fairies support creative experiences for children and bring joyful artistic spirit to many community celebrations. AFTA's Branches at the Carnegie program provides affordable community space for classes, arts programs, meetings, cultural events and more within the restored historic library building located at 175 Almond Street in downtown Auburn. AFTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The event is public and the community is invited. Community members are invited to attend and celebrate the creativity of Auburn's young artists. Further information available at their website: BranchesAtTheCarnegie.com