Language is one of the most important parts of any culture, and this September we’re exploring a variety of ways in which people—and animals—communicate. Analyze ancient pictographs created by Indigenous peoples and explore avian communication with a family birding expedition. Tap your toes to the timeless song craft of Erin Cole-Baker and learn basic ASL to develop language communication with your baby. Go beyond mere physical abilities with artificial intelligence reasoning and grasp the importance of color theory in art. All programs are free and open to the public. Programs marked with an asterisk (*) require registration.
AI, Knowledge and Human Creativity
Explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) influences our creative, cognitive, reasoning, and meaning-making capacities as a species. Assistant Professor of Philosophy Ramón Alvarado delves into the development and deployment of AI technologies in science and society.
- Thursday, Sept. 7 • 6 p.m. • Downtown Bend Library | 601 NW Wall Street, Bend
- Friday, Sept. 8 • noon • Becky Johnson Community Center | 412 SW 8th Street, Redmond
Rock Art: More Than Just Images
Ponder the meaning of petroglyphs and pictographs, images created by Indigenous peoples, with the Archaeological Society of Central Oregon.
- Sunday Sept. 10 • 11 a.m. • Sisters Firehouse Community Hall | 301 S Elm Street, Sisters
Color Theory: How to Speak the Language of Color*
Gain an understanding of how mixing colors works and learn to apply your knowledge to just about any art medium. Lee Kellogg loves to share her experience to help inspire creativity in others. Registration required.
- Tuesday, Sept. 12 • 6 p.m. • Becky Johnson Community Center | 412 SW 8th Street, Redmond
- Wednesday, Sept. 13 • 1 p.m. • Downtown Bend Library | 601 NW Wall Street, Bend
Avian Language Family Birding Expedition at Shevlin Park*
Birds, like many animals, communicate to each other in different ways. Find clues by sight and sound to identify birds living in Shevlin Park with naturalist Damian Fagan. Intended for children ages 5+ and their caregiver. Registration required.
- Wednesday, Sept. 13 • 1:30 p.m. • Shevlin Park
Singer Erin Cole-Baker Performs on Guitar
Enjoy timeless songcraft and a gorgeous voice. Erin Cole-Baker is an American-born singer/songwriter who grew up in coastal Northland of New Zealand.
- Saturday, Sept. 16 • 10 a.m. • Downtown Bend Library | 601 NW Wall Street, Bend
- Sunday, Sept. 17 • 1 p.m. • Wild Ride Brewing | 332 SW 5th Street, Redmond
The Language of Music with Music Together*
Grow your child into a confident music maker. Young children learn best from the powerful role models in their lives, and music classes show parents and caregivers how to help their children become confident music-makers just by having fun making music themselves. Intended for children ages 0-5 and their caregiver. Registration required.
- Sunday, Sept. 17 • 10 a.m. • Sisters Firehouse Community Hall | 301 S Elm Street, Sisters
American Sign Language
American Sign Language (ASL) is an official third language in the United States. Hear from Monica Burdsall about Deaf culture, what it’s like to be Deaf, the language of ASL, and the benefits of learning ASL at a young age.
- Wednesday, Sept. 20 • 6 p.m. • Downtown Bend Library | 601 NW Wall Street, Bend
Ho Mas Gi: To Be That Way Again!*
Learn about the journey of Ho Mas Gi meaning, “to be that way again” in the Klamath Language. In this talk, Gabriann Hall focuses on the Klamath Tribes and the resurrection of what was once described as a dead language.
- Tuesday, Sept. 26 • noon • Online only | Registration required to receive Zoom link
ASL Baby Signs for Families*
Learn basic signs to communicate about family, food, feelings, and more. Meg Rozek, an instructor at the Bend Language Institute, introduces families to learn basic ASL. Intended for children ages six months to two years and their caregiver. Registration required.
- Saturday, Sept. 30 • 9 a.m. • East Bend Library | 62080 Dean Swift Road, Bend
- Tuesday, Sept. 30 • 2:00 p.m. • Becky Johnson Community Center | 412 SW 8th Street, Redmond
For more information about these programs, please visit the library website at www.deschuteslibrary.org. People with disabilities needing accommodations (alternative formats or auxiliary aides) should contact Liz Goodrich at lizg@deschuteslibrary.org or 541-312-1032.