Library's Artist of the Month is scrapbooker Marilyn McIntosh

MONROE — In February, Monroe Free Library is featuring the scrapbook art of Orange County resident Marilyn McIntosh.

The library features the visual art of a different local artist every month.

In an essay written to accompany the exhibit, the artist detailed how her artistic journey started: with an eightieth-birthday gift to her mother. A shoebox full of photographic memories was the basis of a year-long project.

She was left with a handsome scrapbook - and a desire to "conquer the scrapbooking world."

Scrapbooking has been an artistic avenue for McIntosh to learn about all manner of media. She uses inks, paints, photographs and products and tools that make every page a fresh composition while she looks both backward (learning about family history) and forward (chronicling the life of her grandson).

Pages might illustrate episodes from her own adult life (such as family trips) or family members that she knew as a baby.

Searching her memory, she said she's designed "wedding albums, baby books, Christmas compendiums and albums of everyday layouts."

She says the work fulfills tow goals: having fun, and leaving an enduring record of her family's life for future generations to enjoy.

McIntosh works full-time at a day job that has kept her busy for more than 30 years: she's the library's executive director. The library reopened last spring after its renovation, and when space was reserved to feature the work of visual artists, she asked if she could be considered.

Orange County visual artists who'd like to be featured can contact the library's Reference Department at 845-783-4411.