Ceramic artist and art educator and Heather O’Neil moved to Maine at eighteen to pursue her passion for the arts, earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Maine College of Art in 1988. She spent the next two decades building a distinguished career as a designer, creative director, and fashion photographer, working with renowned national brands including Phillips-Van Heusen, G.H. Bass, and L.L.Bean. Her work in the industry earned her three prestigious Broderson Awards for excellence in advertising.

Driven by a desire to share her creative experience, Heather returned to school in 2006 to complete her Master of Arts in Teaching. For the past twenty years, Heather has dedicated herself to art education as a full-time high school art teacher while also teaching year-round adult education ceramics courses. She was the recipient of the 2018 Quimby Fellowship at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, as well being one of only 2 ceramic artists ever chosen for the 2023 MARC Monhegan Island residency. Her artwork has been exhibited across Maine, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.

Today, her dual background in commercial design and fine arts deeply informs both her personal ceramic practice and her approach to fostering creativity in students of all ages.

Says Heather, “My relationship with clay began in childhood, rooted in simple moments spent digging river mud alongside my mother. That early, intuitive connection to raw earth eventually led me to earn my Bachelor of Fine Arts and later a Master of Arts in Teaching. Today, my work as a ceramic artist and art educator is a continuous conversation between deep personal heritage, technical craftsmanship, and joyful play.” Heather creates both functional vessels and sculptural objects, with a central focus on ancestral memory and historical fashion, utilizing heirloom clothing, delicate lace, and vintage garments passed down through generations. 

Join us the second Wednesday of each month for the monthly meeting of our Any Book, Book Club. Each month, we gather to discuss what we are currently reading and books that have stuck with us throughout the years. Our conversations are meandering, and you are guaranteed to leave with a robust list of ‘must-reads!’ Light snacks and refreshments are provided! We hope to see you there! 

Guiding Question – “What are you reading?”

Writers of all experience levels are encouraged to come together, write, share, and connect in a welcoming, supportive environment. We will meet the second Saturday of every month at 2:30 P.M.

Each session will focus on generative writing, using prompts and guided exercises designed to spark creativity and help participants generate new work. Writers are encouraged to share their work, in an environment that focuses on exploration and creativity rather than critique.

“This group is about creating a safe, creative space where people can show up, write, and share,” said Kristin Perpignano, the group’s facilitator. “Writers don’t need to prepare anything in advance—just bring something to write with and a willingness to experiment.”

The writing group is free to attend an open to the public, and reflects the library’s commitment to fostering creativity, literacy, and community connection.

For more information, including upcoming dates, please visit whitefieldlibrary.org or email Kristin@whitefieldlibrary.org.

Join us the second Saturday of every month from 5-7 pm for our monthly drum circle in our beautiful upstairs space!

John Kootz has been facilitating drum circles since 2014 and am a member of the international Drum Circle Facilitators Guild (DCFG.net). This free event is open to people of all ages and levels of experience with drumming!
Donations are greatly appreciated, and all proceeds will go toward the library.

Medicare Advantage Changes Affect Nearly 50,000 Mainers

Free Information Session at the Whitefield Library - Registration required.

Nearly 50,000 Mainers have been notified that their current Medicare Advantage plans will no longer be offered in 2027, leaving them with important decisions about their coverage.

The Whitefield Library welcomes Annie Fox, Director of Maine's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), for a free informational presentation.

Thursday, November 19, at 1:30 p.m.
Whitefield Library

Annie will explain the changes, review Medicare coverage options, and discuss important enrollment deadlines. Her one-hour presentation will include time for general questions but not individual counseling.

SHIP provides free, unbiased Medicare information. All are welcome, whether affected by the changes or simply interested in learning more. To attend, you must RSVP to director@whitefieldlibrary.org by 11/13. 

Medicare Open Enrollment ends December 7, 2026.

Join us the second Wednesday of each month for the monthly meeting of our Any Book, Book Club. Each month, we gather to discuss what we are currently reading and books that have stuck with us throughout the years. Our conversations are meandering, and you are guaranteed to leave with a robust list of ‘must-reads!’ Light snacks and refreshments are provided! We hope to see you there! 

Guiding Question – “What are you reading?”

Writers of all experience levels are encouraged to come together, write, share, and connect in a welcoming, supportive environment. We will meet the second Saturday of every month at 2:30 P.M.

Each session will focus on generative writing, using prompts and guided exercises designed to spark creativity and help participants generate new work. Writers are encouraged to share their work, in an environment that focuses on exploration and creativity rather than critique.

“This group is about creating a safe, creative space where people can show up, write, and share,” said Kristin Perpignano, the group’s facilitator. “Writers don’t need to prepare anything in advance—just bring something to write with and a willingness to experiment.”

The writing group is free to attend an open to the public, and reflects the library’s commitment to fostering creativity, literacy, and community connection.

For more information, including upcoming dates, please visit whitefieldlibrary.org or email Kristin@whitefieldlibrary.org.

Join us the second Saturday of every month from 5-7 pm for our monthly drum circle in our beautiful upstairs space!

John Kootz has been facilitating drum circles since 2014 and am a member of the international Drum Circle Facilitators Guild (DCFG.net). This free event is open to people of all ages and levels of experience with drumming!
Donations are greatly appreciated, and all proceeds will go toward the library.