The Seattle Public Library board of trustees has selected Seattle glass artist Theresa Batty to design artwork for the expansion of the Broadview Branch of The Seattle Public Library. The board made its unanimous decision at its Sept. 29 meeting.
The six-member Broadview Branch Artist Selection Advisory Panel recommended the emerging public artist for the job after interviewing three finalists. The panelists were impressed with Batty’s thoughtfulness, her creative approach to past work and her respect for the connection the community feels to the existing building.
The panel was made up of the project architect from Miller Hayashi Architects, a community member, and staff members from the Library and the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs.
Batty often works with cast glass and photo emulsion, which transfers unique, transparent photo images into the glass. She incorporates antique images into her work that give viewers a sense of history and place.
She has exhibited her work in Seattle, Portland, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Boston, New York, Chicago and Stockholm, Sweden.
Batty will work with the design team to create artwork for the branch, which will grow from 8,405 square feet to 15,000 square feet. The $3,652,950 project will include more seating, new computers and electrical service, improved lighting, more energy-efficient windows, new shelves, a more efficient interior layout, and better signage.
The project is part of the $196.4 million “Libraries for All” bond measure, which voters approved in 1998. The bond money, which can be used only for construction of libraries, is funding new and improved branches, in addition to the new Central Library.
To date, the Library has completed the new Central Library and the Ballard, Beacon Hill, Capitol Hill, Columbia, Delridge, Fremont, Green Lake, Greenwood, High Point, International District/Chinatown, NewHolly, North East, Rainier Beach, Wallingford and West Seattle branches. The Lake City Branch will open at noon Saturday, Oct. 22. Many other branches are in the planning, design or construction phase.
The Seattle Public Library Foundation continues to raise funds from private sources to enhance the public bond commitment and keep pace with the demands of patrons for a high level of library service. Every dollar raised will ensure a level of excellence in the Library’s facilities, collections, and programs that would not be possible through its tax-based support alone.
For more information, visit the Library’s Web site at www.spl.org.
The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, the city agency that promotes the value of arts and culture in and of communities throughout Seattle, manages the Library’s public art program. Arts & Cultural Affairs is supported by the 15-member Seattle Arts Commission, citizen volunteers appointed by the mayor and City Council.
(For more information, call Caroline Young Ullmann, assistant communications director, 206-615-1627.)
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Content modified:
12/30/2005
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