VOORHEES — South Jersey moms will get a chance to expose their children to the arts and reignite their own creativity at the Mamapalooza program being held throughout the Camden County Library System this month.

On Dec. 8, the free program will be held at the M. Allan Vogelson Regional Branch Library in Voorhees.

There will be a mix of music, art and creativity for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.

The program will take place in Merchantville, Haddon Township, Winslow, Bellmawr and Gloucester Township on other dates in December.

"A lot of moms sort of give up their dreams and creative aspirations when they become mothers," said Deb Chamberlin, a Mamapalooza regional coordinator. "This is about empowering moms and families and helping them pursue their creative dreams and goals."

Mamapalooza is an organization that holds festivals every year nationwide. Chamberlin said she was looking for a way to expose more people to the arts, so she worked with the library system to host a Mamapalooza program at each branch.

The program will include about 45 minutes of children's music, performed by singer-songwriter Sara O'Brien. She is the founder of Studio LuLoo, a creative arts organization based in Haddon Township and Haddonfield.

"I think kids will like that it's interactive," O'Brien said. "I'll have instruments and shakers for the kids to play."

O'Brien said she'll be playing the guitar and singing songs children helped her write. She'll also ask the kids at Mamapalooza to help her write a new, simple song during the program.

To expose children to the visual arts, Maggi Liebe, a Haddon Township resident, will be leading an arts and crafts program. Liebe said she'll show kids how to use recycled materials to make unique creations.

"We're going to teach kids how to make origami stars," said Liebe, who was inspired by the mid-November meteor shower. "We'll use construction paper and the silver lining of old candy wrappers."

Liebe said she'll have arts and crafts materials for kids of all ages and skill levels so everyone can

get involved

. She will also explain how things you might normally throw away can be reused and made into artwork.

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