Library Residents
The library's budding residency program connects the community with local working artists, entrepreneurs and writers.
Artist-in-Residence:
Richland Library’s Artist-in-Residence Program aims to connect the community with local working artists and to provide creative and educational opportunities to the community in a way that supports cultural and artistic exchange.
Created in 2015, the residency program gives artists, performers and makers of all types and disciplines the ability to work freely in their own studio space, share their works and artistic process with the community and provide learning opportunities and programs for library customers.
Current Resident:
Mary How
Artist, Board-Certified Art Therapist and Emotional Wellness Coach
January - June 2022
Office Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10 a.m. - Noon
Virtual Hours: Wednesdays 10 a.m -11 a.m
Click Here for Mary's virtual office hour login information.
To make an appointment, please email mary@fullcircleprograms.com.
Mary How, MA, ATR-BC is an artist, board-certified art therapist, and emotional wellness coach with 20+ years of experience helping people navigate deeply emotional issues with art, creativity, and love. Mary uses a unique combination of cognitive restructuring, mindfulness, and art in her coaching and skills courses to help people overcome painful life experiences.
Mary will offer art and mindfulness classes during her residency as well as workshops to teach customers of all ages how to use art and creative practices to transform emotional suffering. She'll teach ways on how combining art-making and mindfulness can help manage mental health. She will surely serve to help customers find more peace in their own lives, thereby creating a stronger and healthier community.
Entrepreneur-in-Residence:
The library's Entrepreneur-in-Residence supports, mentors, and educates new entrepreneurs and budding start-ups through office hours and public programs--building an ecosystem that sustains the development and growth of future entrepreneurs in the region. The program also aims to connect entrepreneurs with peers who have successfully designed, launched and run a new business venture.
Current Resident:
Lasenta Lewis-Ellis
July - August 2022
Meet with Lasenta | Find An Event
A graduate of Midlands Technical College, the University of South Carolina, and Webster University, Lewis-Ellis is the president and CEO of LLE Construction Group, LLC. She specializes in owner's representation in general construction and contracting, construction and project management, and facility support services. Currently, she's working on her dissertation with a focus of study on women-owned small businesses and federal government contracting.
During her residency, she’ll share her Sidepreneurship expertise with entrepreneurs and small business owners through an array of free programs and one-on-one coaching sessions.
Writer-in-Residence:
Noted children’s author, Dinah Johnson, served as the library's first Writer-in-Residence from September 2015 - November 2016.
The South Carolina native held weekly office hours at Richland Library Main--interacting with aspiring authors of all ages. Known for her poetic stories, including Black Magic, Johnson gathered inspiration from her surroundings during her residency and applied it to numerous projects.