By Chris Yow
Editor
BIRMINGHAM –Summer vacation for some teens consist of video games, sports, camps and other activities, but for one Clay-Chalkville student, the skill of drawing made his summer fun for himself among others.
BPL Board President Kim Richardson (far right) congratulates Jaylen, his parents Rachel and Brad Allen, and his sister Kennedy Allen. Photo Courtesy of Birmingham Public Library
Jaylen Callins is a 16-year-old student at Clay-Chalkville High School and Shades Valley Technical Academies, and has won several awards for his art since discovering his talent. He’s worked as a volunteer at several places and has artwork on display with several organizations in the area. He was named the City of Birmingham’s Division of Youth Services logo design winner in 2014 and is a finalist for Congresswoman Terri Sewell’s 7th district congressional art competition.
Callins used that talent this summer to create characters for a library activity book for the Central Library within the Birmingham Public Library system.
A release from the library said Callins created lively characters who were visiting a library. The Central Library Youth Department team worked with Callins to teach children about the positive library experiences.
The character named Oscar the Octopus set out on his journey to all 19 locations of the Birmingham Public Library system this summer and copies of the activity book are available at each location for free.
