The BAM Festival returns on Saturday, April 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach and the 400 block of Clematis Street with 28 award-winning authors and illustrators. The free, family-friendly festival celebrates books, art and music with a day filled with author readings, writing workshops, illustrator demonstrations, competitions, street chalk drawing and more. For more information, visit www.bamwpb.org.
BAM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to children’s literacy. Its mission is to provide a countywide literary experience that brings together authors, teachers, students, families and the community to share their love of books.
“BAM is a free community event that allows children and young adults to meet and learn from some of the best children’s authors and illustrators in the country,” BAM Director Claire Salmon said. “The event promotes children’s literacy and a love of reading and writing with authors and illustrators interacting with the attendees through creative activities and workshops.”
A festival highlight is the one-hour workshops facilitated by authors and illustrators. These interactive sessions provide one-of-a-kind opportunities for all ages. Workshops tailored to young readers include the Illustrator Smackdown, where authors and illustrators compete in a kid-judged, live-action drawing competition. Other workshops are tailored to young adults who want to take their writing to the next level. Other themes include Matters of the Mind, which focuses on mental health, and Finding your Voice, which teaches how to use art and language to speak out against injustice. ¡Celebremos! celebrates Latin history and culture. A workshop titled BAM Flash Fiction Challenge initiates a free writing contest where the winner works with author Stephen Kozan to write, edit and publish a book.
The festival also features street art. The public is invited to participate in the street art by e-mailing bam@bamwpb.org. The Dreyfoos School of the Arts Visual Arts and Digital Media will also present an Artist Market in collaboration with BAM, which includes more than 50 students selling their original art to the public.
2023 guest authors and presenters include: Kalynn Bayron, Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond, Pablo Cartaya, Tami Charles, Eric Elfman, Tatiana Gardel, Donna Gephart, Kathleen Glasgow, Joya Goffney, S. Isabelle, Gladys Jose, Fred Koehler, Stephen Kozan, Lily Lamotte, Francie Latour, Sarah McGuire, Jenin Mohammed, Maika and Maritza Moulite, Carmen Oliver, Baptiste Paul, Miranda Paul, Aixa Pérez-Prado, Randi Pink, Jess Redman, Neal Shusterman, Ana Siqueira and Padma Venkatraman.
Participants can pre-register to begin receiving information and updates and view a schedule of activities at www.bamwpb.org.
