Like so many of us, Gilda Rogers had a large collection of family photographs — a chronicle of her family’s history that cried out for something more than being shut away in albums or hidden on hard drives. The solution, according to the writer, educator and cultural preservationist, was to create “Backward Glances,” a line of greeting cards that spotlights her own generational history, sharing her family’s story through some (often artful and compelling) images that have something to offer people of all backgrounds.
On Saturday, June 11, Rogers visits the Red Bank Public Library for a free workshop entitled “Making Memories: Create a Keepsake Placemat from Family Photos.” A tie-in to the current Two River Theater production of I Remember Mama and its themes of family unity, the crafting session offers participants a chance to win two tickets to the play, which continues its engagement through June 26.
For the two-hour workshop that runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., attendees are invited to bring in prints (or digital-file printouts) of some of their favorite images of family life, dating from generations past or as current as that same day. Rogers, who has hosted numerous special programs and discussions at both the library and the theater, will guide participants through the process of creating a unique placemat that offers a novel and highly visible setting for some cherished images. The host will also share her ideas behind the “Backward Glances” project (no relation to the vintage clothing store that recently relocated to Asbury Park following a long Red Bank run).
The June 11 workshop will take place in the Meeting Room of the library on West Front Street. Reservations, while not mandatory, are recommended by contacting the RBPL online or at (732)842-4191.
