Burbank Public Library Transforms Into Weekend Arts Hub With New Workshop Series

The Burbank Public Library is trading its reputation for quiet study halls for the buzz of creative energy this weekend as it launches “Create Burbank,” an ambitious new arts programming initiative that transforms the Central Library into a hands-on workshop destination every Saturday and Sunday.

Starting this Saturday, the library’s community room and newly converted maker space will host a rotating schedule of workshops covering everything from ceramic arts and digital photography to screenwriting and podcast production. The program responds to what Library Director Patricia Chen calls “an explosion of interest” from Burbank residents looking for affordable creative outlets.

“We had people constantly asking if we could offer more than just book clubs and computer classes,” Chen told the Burbank Digest during a preview tour Thursday. “When you live in a city where half your neighbors work in entertainment, the demand for creative programming is pretty intense.”

The library partnered with local artists and Woodbury University’s animation program to develop the curriculum. Weekend workshops will cost between $15-35 per session, with materials included and sliding scale pricing available for Burbank residents.

From Quiet to Creative

The transformation required significant renovation of the library’s lower level. What was once additional book storage now houses pottery wheels, easels, and a recording booth complete with professional microphones and editing software. The main community room features moveable tables and a projection system for digital arts instruction.

“We gutted the whole basement level,” said Facilities Manager Robert Torres, gesturing to freshly painted walls lined with supply cabinets. “The city approved a $180,000 renovation budget last year after we showed them the community interest surveys.”

Those surveys, distributed at farmers markets and community events throughout 2023, revealed that 73% of respondents wanted more arts programming, with pottery, photography, and creative writing topping the wish list.

Local Artists Lead the Way

The workshop instructors read like a who’s who of Burbank’s creative community. Ceramics classes will be taught by Maria Gonzalez, whose Magnolia Park studio has been a neighborhood fixture for twelve years. Photography workshops feature retired Disney animator Tom Bradley, who worked on classics from “The Little Mermaid” to “Frozen.”

“Teaching here feels like coming full circle,” said Bradley, adjusting camera equipment in the library’s new digital arts space. “I learned to draw in this building back in the 1970s when they had those basic art classes for kids. Now we can offer something much more sophisticated.”

Screenwriting workshops will be led by Jennifer Walsh, a Warner Bros. story editor who lives in Toluca Lake. Her four-week series “From Idea to Script” promises to take participants through the complete development process, from concept to properly formatted screenplay.

“Burbank has this incredible concentration of entertainment industry talent,” Walsh explained. “But not everyone knows how to break in or develop their ideas professionally. This gives people the tools and the community to do that.”

Beyond Traditional Arts

The programming extends beyond typical arts and crafts. “Podcast Academy” teaches everything from recording techniques to RSS feed distribution. “Community Documentary” is a six-week intensive where participants create short films about Burbank neighborhoods and local history.

One of the most popular offerings promises to be “Voice Acting Bootcamp,” taught by longtime cartoon voice actor Michael Stevens. The three-hour weekend workshops cover everything from character development to home studio setup.

“Animation studios are right here in our backyard,” Stevens noted. “But breaking into voice work takes specific skills that most people don’t know about. This demystifies the whole process.”

Community Response

Advance registration opened Monday, and more than half the spring workshops sold out within 48 hours. The library added waitlists and is already planning expanded summer programming.

“I signed up for pottery and photography immediately,” said Janet Morrison, a Rancho resident who works as a production coordinator at Universal. “I spend all day in post-production facilities, but I never get to create anything myself. This gives me that outlet without driving to Pasadena or LA.”

Burbank Arts Council President David Kim praised the initiative as exactly what the city’s creative community needs. “We’ve always had individual artists and small studios scattered throughout the city, but this creates a central gathering place,” he said. “It’s going to build connections between artists who might never have met otherwise.”

Looking Ahead

Chain plans to assess the program’s success after the initial 12-week spring session, but early indicators suggest Create Burbank will become a permanent fixture. The library is already in talks with Bob Hope Airport about transportation partnerships and exploring evening workshops for working professionals.

“We want this to be sustainable and responsive to what the community actually wants,” Chen said. “If people are clamoring for jewelry making or music production, we’ll figure out how to make that happen.”

Future expansion could include partnerships with local studios for behind-the-scenes workshops and artist residency programs. The library is also exploring grants for equipment upgrades, including a 3D printer and professional-grade video editing stations.

Registration and Details

Create Burbank workshops begin this Saturday, March 2, with pottery sessions at 10 AM and digital photography at 2 PM. The complete spring schedule and registration information is available at burbanklibrary.org/create or at the Central Library circulation desk.

Walk-in registration will be available for workshops that aren’t sold out, but Chen recommends advance booking. “Based on the response so far,” she said, “we’re going to be pretty busy on weekends from now on.”