At ArtLit 2026, the Library Becomes a Living Storybook

On Saturday, January 10, something special unfolds at the Southwest Regional Library in Pembroke Pines.

Shelves of books become a backdrop. Courtyards and meeting rooms fill with movement, color, and sound. Families gather. Artists create in real time. Stories move off the page and into shared experience.

This is ArtLit 2026, Broward County Library’s free, all-ages festival celebrating art, culture, and the stories that connect us.

Running from 10AM to 3PM, ArtLit is not just an event you attend. It is a day you step into.

When Stories Take Root

Inspired by the 2026 One Book One Broward selections, The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson and the youth companion book The First Blade of Sweetgrass by Suzanne Greenlaw and Gabriel Frey, ArtLit centers on themes of heritage, land, memory, and intergenerational connection.

These are stories about what we carry forward and what we protect.

They explore how traditions are passed not only through words, but through hands, rituals, and care for the natural world.

ArtLit brings those ideas to life through experiences that invite participation rather than observation.

A Festival Designed for All Ages

Throughout the day, the library transforms into a creative village.

You might find yourself watching a cultural performance, planting something meaningful with your hands, or sitting in on a book discussion that sparks reflection across generations.

There are writing workshops, hands-on art making, storytimes for kids, free face painting, photo moments, and creative activities designed specifically for young readers and their families.

Food vendors add to the festival atmosphere, making it easy to spend the entire day exploring.

This is the kind of event where grandparents, parents, and children can all find something that speaks to them.

Artists, Makers, and Meaningful Moments

ArtLit 2026 features interactive experiences led by artists and creatives who work at the intersection of storytelling and place.

Participants can join a writing workshop with filmmaker Nerissa Street.

They can experience typewriter poetry with Patton Horton.

They can also take part in a community dye bath using colors sourced from nature with artist Shawna Moulton.

These are moments that invite reflection and play, while grounding creativity in history, environment, and shared values.

Each activation reflects the spirit of the featured books and the deeper intention behind the festival.

Why ArtLit Matters

At its core, ArtLit is about connection.

Connection to stories. Connection to the land. Connection to one another.

Libraries have always been places of preservation, but events like ArtLit show how they are also places of living culture.

They are spaces where ideas are not just read, but felt. Where learning is communal. Where access is truly universal.

Admission, parking, and all ArtLit 2026 activities are free, reinforcing the library’s role as one of the most inclusive cultural spaces in Broward County.

Plan Your Visit

ArtLit 2026

Saturday, January 10, 202610AM to 3PM

Southwest Regional Library

16835 Sheridan St. Pembroke Pines, FL 33311

Admission, parking, and activities are free. Registration is requested.

A Day to Remember

ArtLit 2026 is not about rushing from one activation to the next.

It is about slowing down enough to notice what matters.

It is about making memories through art, environment, and community.

In a world that often feels fragmented, this festival offers something grounded and generous.

A reminder that stories still bring us together, and that the library remains one of the best places for that to happen.

If you are looking for a meaningful way to spend a January Saturday with your family, your curiosity, or your creative side, ArtLit 2026 is where you want to be.

About Choose954

Choose954 is a hyper local culture and community platform spotlighting the people, places, and experiences that make Broward County feel alive. Since 2016, we have been telling the stories of local artists, small businesses, events, and creative initiatives that shape life across the 954.

We believe culture is not just something you attend, it is something you participate in. That means highlighting what is happening now, uplifting the voices behind it, and making it easier for the community to discover what is worth showing up for.

Have a story, event, or local tip we should know about? We want to hear it. Send ideas, announcements, or leads for coverage to choose954@unitesugroup.com and help us continue showcasing the best of Broward County.