Garrick L. Smothers finds peace and quiet as well as an inspiring place to create art at libraries.

So when he learned the Evergreen Park Public Library was having an adult coloring contest earlier this year, he was all in.

“I spend a lot of time at libraries in general,” he said. “I’m an artist so I sketch there and read without having any distractions. When I saw the announcement it just looked like something fun, but I took it seriously and put a lot of thought into how I wanted to execute the piece.”

Smothers said it also took a while to complete his submission.

“I overthink just about everything,” he said. “There was a deadline, but I wanted to submit it far in advance. I was beginning to lose sleep over it.”

Sketching is one of the ways Smothers is able to further develop his creative ideas.

“In general I sketch a lot, then when I’m ready to paint I reference my sketches and see what stands out and go from there,” he said. “I generally sketch in pen and make notes of decisions regarding scale, colors, texture, materials, etc. My formal education is more technical drawing so my studio practice is more like a designer.”

While he isn’t extremely competitive, he is driven by his work.

“I don’t consider myself very competitive but I enjoy creating strong pieces,” he said.

“I’m more process-focused than anything. I don’t really think about winning. In the case of this contest I took it very seriously without necessarily thinking of winning. You would have thought there was a $5,000 prize.”

While coloring is something many started right after learning how to hold a crayon, it’s an activity that’s typically outgrown. Within the last 10 years or so though, coloring has made a return splash, offering an inexpensive hobby that you can do just about anywhere for artistic expression and stress reduction.

For Smothers, the activity included a therapeutic benefit.

“I enjoy the solitary nature of being in the studio,” he said. “However, it’s far more intense than relaxing. I’m just wired that way.”

Coloring and similar creative endeavors have always brought peace to Emily Stepansky, who joined Smothers as the other winner in the coloring contest. Their work was chosen by a select group of library staff.

“Coloring has always been very peaceful to me, and a way for me to relax,” Stepansky said. “Anything hands-on like that, or sculpting, drawing, writing, cross-stitch, baking, it all helps me meditate and calm down.”

Stepansky said even if she hadn’t won, she appreciates the library contests as a way to showcase her creative talents.

For example, for this contest Stepansky changed up the coloring sheet.

“This year’s coloring page was of a gingerbread house, but I saw it as one of those little houses in the fish tank,” she said. “I added gravel at the bottom and drew some fish and made it an underwater scene instead of a winter scene. I always try to see something different than what is seen at first glance.”

Like writer’s block, art block reared its ugly head initially, but Stepansky overcame it.

“I actually wasn’t going to enter this year’s contest,” she said. “I had a hard time thinking of a way to embellish this coloring page. But, while admiring the fish tank at the library, the idea struck! It was finished last minute, a few days before the contest ended.”

The Evergreen Park Public Library also held a photo challenge in February, inviting participants to submit a photo each week for the four weeks in the month.

Creative contests like these are just another way the library is able to engage the community.

“Coloring contests like these are typically for children, but we have been offering it for adults for many years now,” said Jenna Harte-Wisniewski, head of adult services for the Evergreen Park Public Library. “Not only is coloring a fun way to pass the time, but it’s a great tool to practice mindfulness, focus and concentration. These days, it’s important to turn away from our screens occasionally, and disconnect from stressful thoughts. The coloring contest is a fun way to disconnect and feel like a kid again.”

The Evergreen Park Public Library has been welcoming patrons now for more than 80 years.

“The library is around for folks to engage in fun, meaningful and educational activities, and try out something new,” Harte-Wisniewski said. “We’re a free resource, so there is no risk in giving it a shot. You may even surprise yourself by revealing a hidden talent, hobby or skill! Staff was blown away by the beautiful artwork submitted during this year’s adult coloring contest, and we hope that participants found joy in taking the time to pick up some art supplies and create something special.”

Some of the library’s upcoming events similar to the recent coloring contest include a summer reading bookmark design contest in April.

C.R. Walker is a freelance reporter.