Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock throws 100th birthday party

​What do kids think life will look like a century from now? See the winning ideas as the Carnegie Arts Center opens its doors for a free, family centennial birthday party Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Live music will set the stage. Tapping toes can join in a free dance class. Creative souls can try their hand at art classes, also free.

A ceremony to mark the 1916 groundbreaking of what was then the Carnegie Library will include a welcome by Mayor Gary Soiseth and others.

Two authors will tell their stories included in the Carnegie Centennial book coming out in the spring, said Carnegie Director Lisa McDermott.

Local dance troupes will perform. Ukulele players will strum. Impromptu poetry will be available for the asking. The traveling reading tent will offer a place for youngsters to read or be read to.

“There will be lots of connections to history and to reading, but also to things going on now, with art and music,” McDermott said

The students’ artwork, two pieces from every school in Turlock, will be on display in what was the old library, along with a slideshow of every student entry. All will be included in the time capsule to be buried later in the summer. A contest to choose other encapsulatable memories of 2016 will be chosen with community input, McDermott said.

Peruse the galleries – admission free – to peruse “A Handful of Dust,” featuring American West artwork, and “Valley Focus: Betty Saletta Sculpture.” Popcorn, lemonade and cookies, all free, will be offered at food stations.

This story was originally published February 24, 2016 at 2:57 PM with the headline "Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock throws 100th birthday party."