Enjoy henna and face painting while learning about West Bengal, India.
This event is intended for ages 4 and up. Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are allowed. Children under 10 must be accompanied by a caregiver.
Join us to celebrate the arts and crafts of West Bengal, India. Sushmita Poddar—Culture Bearer for Henna, Indian Folk Dance, and South Asian Fashion in Oregon—will share a glimpse of the culture of Bengal through henna (instead of red hibiscus alta), face painting (Kolka), and a display of cultural handcrafted products and textiles. Participants will use Henna to create Bengal Folk Art patterns that they can take home with them, while Sushmita will paint faces with Kolka art.
Located in Portland Metro, Sushmita Poddar is a multidisciplinary cultural artist, a civic leader, and owns 3 small businesses: Shop Amrapali, Salon Amrapali, and Bollywood Movez. She also runs a non profit called WashCo Rising. She has designed over 10000 cultural outfits in 19 years, has taught dance classes to over 3000 students and painted more than 49000 henna hands. Sushmita loves sharing a glimpse of her cultural heritage through diverse art forms and through engaging workshops across ages. Her passion and purpose is to reweave the lost stories of global diverse communities through sharing of arts, culture, talks, workshops and training.
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2026 A Novel Idea Youth Edition
Hope in the Valley is a middle-grade novel exploring grief, friendship, family, and growing up in a community facing a housing crisis.
Twelve-year-old Indian-American Pandita Paul doesn't like change. She's not ready to start middle school and leave the comforts of childhood behind. Most of all, Pandita doesn't want to feel like she's leaving her mother, who died a few years ago, behind. After a falling out with her best friend, Pandita is planning to spend most of her summer break reading and writing in her favorite secret space: the abandoned but majestic mansion across the street. But then the unthinkable happens. The town announces that the old home will be bulldozed in favor of new—maybe affordable—housing. With her family on opposing sides of the issue, Pandita must find her voice—and the strength to move on—in order to give her community hope.
About the Author
Mitali Perkins has written many books for young readers, all of which explore crossing different kinds of borders. Her goal is to make readers laugh or cry, preferably both, as long as their hearts are widening. She lives and writes in the East Bay.
Learn more about A Novel Idea
Questions? Contact elsah@deschuteslibrary.org, 541-312-1062
AGE GROUP: | Middle School Age | Elementary School Age |
EVENT TYPE: | Children's Program |
