Anythink’s annual mySummer initiative returns on June 1, 2022, with partnerships and programs inspired by the theme of “wishes for ourselves, wishes for others and wishes for our future.” This year’s summer program provides an opportunity for Coloradans to find healing, create joyful memories together and feel hope for the future.

As part of this year’s mySummer experience, Anythink has partnered with Colorado artists Alejandra Abad, Charlotte Bassin and Helen Hiebert, and author Matt de la Peña. In addition, community members can expect a myriad of interactive programs and performances, including everything from live unicorns and children’s music programs with the Playground Ensemble to teen mental health storytelling workshops with Soul Stories Denver, and discussions about mountain activities and goal setting with The Next Summit’s Alex Derr.

In keeping with the theme of wishes, all Anythink locations will distribute wooden coins as reminders to make wishes. Each branch will have a Repository of Wishes where visitors can make a wish for themselves, others or the future, and see how the repository fills as wishes collect throughout the summer.

“MySummer continues to offer engaging, interactive learning experiences,” says Anythink Director of Customer Experience Suzanne McGowan. “With wishes as Anythink's inspiration this year, our goal is that mySummer participants will gain resilience and embrace hope, and share that hope with their communities. We are honored to feature author Matt de la Peña, amazing Colorado artists like Helen Hiebert, and our partner organizations.”

mySummer Highlights

Matt de la Peña is the #1 New York Times bestselling, Newbery Medal-winning author of seven young adult novels and six picture books. He will lead storytimes and discussions of his children’s book, “Carmela Full of Wishes” at Anythink locations across Adams County from Wednesday, June 15 to Saturday, June 18. The storytimes will be followed by a book signing and Q&A session.

Interdisciplinary visual artist Alejandra Abad will lead teens in outdoor workshops to make cyanotype wishes. She has a penchant for dense abstract shapes and fantastical landscapes. Her work also blends storytelling and community engagement. In Sept. 2021, Abad was an artist-in-residence at Anythink Wright Farms in Thornton, Colo., where she built upon her “Our Wishes” textile project. The “Our Wishes” installation traveled to the Public Libraries Association conference in Portland, Ore., on March 23-25, 2022.

Adult mySummer participants will join Charlotte Bassin and learn to craft hope maps using flowers and other natural materials. Bassin creates artistic world maps out of various materials from traditional mediums like paint, drawing and collage to more unique items like flowers, feathers, coffee beans and gumballs. The intention behind the maps is to spread messages of hope, unity and love.  

Helen Hiebert will take her papermaking skills across the district in a series of hands-on workshops for children on how to create handmade paper lanterns. Participants are encouraged to save their lanterns to bring to the end-of-summer culminating event at Anythink Wright Farms on Saturday, July 30. Hiebert is also in residence at Anythink Wright Farms May 13-20, 2022, working on a large-scale paper lantern installation that will be on display this summer.  

Beginning May 24, 2022, community members are encouraged to sign up online and visit their local Anythink to enjoy the mySummer 2022 experience.