books & brews
Books & Brews
A Nostalgic Book Fair
Saturday, September 26
11 AM to 4 PM
Free with membership or admission
Remember that feeling when the Book Fair came to town — the anticipation... the joy... the smelly erasers and bendy pencils just waiting to be purchased? This all-ages event brings the love of literacy, imagination, and nostalgia to life. Sip craft brews, browse books and comics, grab a bite from a local food truck, and relive the magic of book fairs past.
Community Mural Fundraiser
Be part of creating a lasting work of art at ScienceWorks: a mural created by the whole community!
As part of our Books & Brews Nostalgic Book Fair, we're inviting our community to help transform an exterior wall of the museum into a vibrant celebration of science, art, and nature.
During Books & Brews, artist Ursula Barton will lead a one-of-a-kind community mural project. Participants will have the chance to throw paint-filled balloons at a designated section of the museum's exterior, creating a colorful foundation that Ursula will transform into a large-scale mural inspired by the extraordinary patterns found in nature.
The finished artwork will feature enlarged textures and forms inspired by feathers, butterfly wings, reptile scales, fish skin, and microscopic life. As these natural patterns weave together across the building, the mural will make the museum itself feel alive and evolving — a playful fusion of science, art, and curiosity that reflects the experiences waiting inside ScienceWorks.
How to Participate
Throughout the Books & Brews event, participants will have the opportunity to throw pairs of balloons at the museum wall. Each pair includes one paint-filled balloon and one water-filled balloon, creating the colorful splashes and textures that will become the foundation of Ursula Barton's finished artwork.
Balloon bundles can be purchased on the day of the event and are available in several sizes:
- 1 pair (1 paint + 1 water balloon) — $10
- 3 pairs — $25
- 15 pairs (a full box) — $100
We also invite supporters to donate a box of balloons ahead of time to the fundraiser. Sponsored balloons will be available for children, families, and other community members to throw throughout the day, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to leave their mark on the mural, regardless of their ability to pay.
Together, thousands of colorful balloon splashes will become the backdrop for a permanent work of public art on the Walker Ave. side of ScienceWorks, where it will welcome students from Ashland Middle School, TRAILS Outdoor School, museum visitors, and our entire community for years to come.
Every balloon thrown helps create something bigger than itself — a lasting symbol of curiosity, creativity, and the community that makes ScienceWorks possible.
Books & Brews
offers something for every age: meet local authors, discover new favorites, swap a book, enjoy a glass of wine or cider, or try your hand at a new skill.
Browse books from a variety of local authors and independent booksellers, discover new favorites, and connect with the people who bring stories to life. From children's books to novels, history, science, comics, and more, you'll find something for every kind of reader.
Event Schedule
11:30 - 12:30 Crossword Workshop
12:20 Author reading: Christy Matheson, The Horned Woman & Other Stories
12:40 Author reading: Samantha Christopher, A Tale of the Hidden Isle
1:20 Author reading: Tami Casias, Dragon Inc.
1:40 Author reading: Lynn Ransford, Tell Me a Story series
2:20 Author reading: Scott Fleuter, Behind the Badge
2:40 Author reading: Paul Millard Sheldon, Wisdom of Dreaming
3:00 Author reading: Glenn J. Hill, The First Thing We Do
2:30 - 3:30 Crossword Workshop
Featured Participants
Local Authors
Meet a wonderful collection of local and regional authors who will be sharing, signing, and reading from their books. It's a great opportunity to discover your next favorite author and support Southern Oregon's vibrant literary community.
- Tami Casias
- Samantha Christopher
- Scott Fleuter
- Glenn Hill
- Christy Matheson
- Lynn Ransford
- Paul Millard Sheldon
- E.F. Watson
and ScienceWorks' very own...
A beloved independent bookstore in the heart of downtown Ashland since 1980, Bloomsbury Books is known for its thoughtfully curated selection of fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and local authors, as well as its vibrant calendar of author events.
Wren's Nest Books is a community-focused independent bookstore dedicated to connecting readers with great books and fostering a love of reading throughout Southern Oregon.
Retro Wormhole is a nostalgic treasure trove of vintage books, comics, toys, games, and pop culture collectibles — perfect for anyone looking to rediscover childhood favorites or uncover something delightfully unexpected.
Southern Oregon Historical Society
Explore the history of our region with the Southern Oregon Historical Society and discover stories and resources that connect us to the people and places that shaped Southern Oregon.
Relax with handcrafted wines and ciders from Ashland's own Terrene Winery & Cidery while you browse books, visit with authors, and enjoy the festivities.
Your go-to spot for ice cream on the go. Quick, easy, and always delicious.
Enjoy delicious comfort food from Trudeau Personal Chefs, serving up tasty favorites from their food truck. Come hungry and grab a bite while you browse, sip, and explore!
Enjoy fresh, flavorful bowls and more from On The Far Side Cafe, featuring veggies, rice, noodles, kebabs, and creative sauces. Come hungry for bold flavors and delicious surprises!
Learn about the Ashland Schools Foundation and its work supporting local students, educators, and schools through community partnerships and philanthropy.
Rogue Liberation Library shares the power of reading by providing free books to incarcerated people, fostering knowledge, connection, and personal growth.
Bring a Book, Take a Book
Have a book you’ve finished but someone else might love? Bring it along for our Book Exchange Station! Bring a gently used book and swap it for something new-to-you. It’s a simple way to share your favorite stories, discover a new read, and keep good books circulating in our community.
Crossword Puzzle Workshop with Steve Weyer
Ever wondered how crossword puzzles are created? Steve Weyer of Ashland.news will offer a rolling, hands-on workshop throughout the event where visitors can learn the art of crossword construction and try creating puzzles of their own.
Steve will also be creating special crosswords inspired by Books & Brews in the weeks leading up to the event. Check back here for links to each new puzzle and test your skills before the big day!
- “Eureka Moment #08,” is live now. Click here to solve!
- “Snake Charmer #7,” is live now. Click here to solve!
- “Flower Power #03,” is live now. Click here to solve!
- "Mini Crossword #44" is live now. Click here to solve!
- "Spiral #02" is live now. Click here to solve!
- "Acrostic #25" is live now. Click here to solve!
Scribble Scrabble Sketches with Curt Evans
Local book illustrator
Curt Evans will be creating free “Scribble Scrabble” sketches throughout the event! Stop by, watch his creative process in action, and take home a one-of-a-kind sketch of your own.
Interested in being a vendor?
We're looking for booksellers, writers, and makers of brews of all kinds — beer, cider, mead, tea, coffee... you get the picture! Click here to fill out our vendor application. Application closes Sept 18.