Tin and collage artist Jane Grafton, a Lake City-area resident for 14 years, has been chosen to help create artwork for the expansion of the Lake City Library, 12501 28th Ave. N.E.
"We chose Jane for her artistic ability with collaging and layering of images and patterns," said Lisa Richmond, public art project manager for the Seattle Arts Commission. "She also has great community outreach and organizing skills. We think she'll be a wonderful asset to the project."
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.
Grafton is the first 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 program was created to encourage participation by local artists working in traditional or non-visual art forms, such as Hmong embroiderers or African storytellers.
Grafton will work on the project with public artist Linda Haworth of Portland, whose media include ceramics, metal, stone, glass, earth, concrete, mosaics and reflected light.
The $2.9 million expansion project will feature an updated collection of 66,700 books and materials, more seats, a meeting room, upgraded technology and more space for books. The expansion will add nearly 6,000 square feet to the current 9,013-square-foot facility. The total art budget for the project is $33,957.
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. For more information, visit the Library's Web site at www.spl.org and select "Libraries for All capital projects."
(For more information, Caroline Young Ullmann, communications assistant, at 206-615-1627.)
Return to the list of Libraries for All press release headlines
Content modified: 4 October 2001
12/30/2005
© 1999-2006 - The Seattle Public Library