Central District resident Vivian Linder has been chosen to help create artwork for the expansion of the Douglass-Truth Library, 2300 E. Yesler Way.
Linder creates prints, paintings and mixed-media pieces based on her research about the art of diverse cultures. She has exhibited her work in various locations in Seattle and in Auburn, Issaquah, Chicago, Bellevue, Tacoma, Portland and Corvallis, Ore.
"My work is a reflection of the profound admiration and respect I feel toward traditional cultures from around the world," Linder said in her application letter, adding that her work reflects the message that diversity enriches everyone.
"Vivian was selected not only for the potential of her artwork to translate into compelling public work, but also for her genuine interest in the history and diverse backgrounds of community residents," said Lisa Richmond, public art project manager for the Seattle Arts Commission.
"She's been a regular library patron since moving to the area, and has worked extensively with library staff to research various aspects of the surrounding community, including its cultural history and music."
The Arts Commission, a city agency formed in 1971 to increase public awareness of and support for the arts, is managing the library's public art program.
Linder is the fourth community artist chosen under the innovative Art Partners program, which pairs an experienced artist with a community artist who has limited experience with public art. The Seattle Arts Commission created and funded the program so the library public art program could reach more deeply into the community and provide opportunities for emerging artists.
Linder will work on the project with lead library artist Marita Dingus of Auburn, who creates work from discarded materials, including bottle caps, aluminum cans and thread spools.
The $3,544,000 expansion project will feature an updated collection of books and materials, enhanced display for the African-American Collection, a new children's area, more seating and computers, larger and more efficient staff work areas, upgraded electrical, mechanical and ventilation systems and energy efficient windows.
Plans call for expanding the 8,008-square-foot library to 15,000 square feet. The total art budget for the project is $43,050.
The project is part of the $196.4 million "Libraries for All" building program that voters passed in 1998. The plan calls for improving or replacing all 22 branch libraries, building five new branches and building a new central library. The newest branch, the 5,600-square-foot Delridge Library, opened June 29.
The Seattle Public Library Foundation is in the midst of a "Campaign for Seattle's Public Libraries" with the goal of raising $77.5 million from private sources to enhance the public bond commitment. Every dollar raised will ensure the library system reflects our community's needs in buildings, books, technology and people, long into the future.
For more information about "Libraries for All" or the Foundation, visit the Library's Web site at www.spl.org.
(For more information, call Caroline Young Ullmann, Library communications assistant, at 206-615-1627, or Lisa Richmond, public art project manager, Seattle Arts Commission, 206-684-0998.)
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Content modified: 09 July 2002
12/30/2005
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