public art – CRPLSA

ECRL Art in Digital Library

The Minnesota Digital Library is thrilled to announce East Central Regional Library’s (ECRL) Kids Design Glass is a recent addition to Minnesota Reflections. This Library Legacy project is now fully documented in Minnesota Reflections with scans of the original 14 drawings, the artist statements, photographs of the sculpture, and a short video of each sculpture rotating on a turntable.

Kids Design Glass was funded by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Fund and began with a summer reading program art contest. The contest was open to kids ages 5 to 10. One drawing was chosen from each of ECRL’s 14 branches. The winning drawings were transformed into three-dimensional blown-glass sculptures by Anthony Michaud-Scorza of Cambridge, Minnesota.

View the digital ECRL collection

New LARL Sculpture

The Detroit Lakes Public Library’s Once Upon A Time sculpture by Becker County resident, Hans Gilsdorf was unveiled on September 10th. Over 100 community members were in attendance for the community art celebration. Gilsdorf will serve as a guest presenter at the Library Club kickoff meeting on October 27, 2015.

The Library has received overwhelmingly positive feedback regarding the sculpture, which was funded in part by the Detroit Lakes Library Fund and LARL’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Funding for Library Legacy activities. The sculpture is comprised of re-bar and over 24 Tons of concrete with a a special sculpting epoxy that gives it a bronze-like finish. The sculpture depicts a child lying on the ground, reading a book.

ALS Sculpture installed in Grand Marais

ALS Grand Marais sculpture installation 2015-06 — Installation in progress

The Grand Marais Public Library, an Arrowhead Library System (ALS) member, hosted a sculpture dedication on Friday, June 5 to celebrate the installation of a new work of public art. The local artist and sculptor Tom Christiansen,was on hand at the dedication as were other local and regional dignitaries.

The sculpture is constructed of spun aluminum. Arranged around the top of the 17-foot tower are a number of large puzzle pieces in bright red, blue or yellow primary colors. It is easily visible to residents and visitors traveling along Minnesota’s north shore as the new art piece is located on the the lawn between the library and Highway 61.

Christiansen was selected from a group of fourteen submissions to the initial request for proposal from the library board. There were four finalists, the other three being Nancy Seaton and Sharon Frykman both of Grand Marais and Ann Klefstad of Duluth.

This new addition to the public art presence in Grand Marais was paid for by the Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment through Library Legacy funds made available to the Arrowhead Library System.

ALS Legacy Art in Cook Public Library

Arrowhead Library System (ALS) member, the Cook Public Library will host glass artist Ron Benson during Cook’s Country Christmas on Friday, December 5, 2014. The artist will discuss his work and his inspiration for the library’s glass project. He will have art available for purchase during the event.

Benson recently completed the library’s public art project. His work has been purchased by the Smithsonian Institute, the Washington National Cathedral and the Minnesota History Center.

The library’s public art project sponsored by ALS with funds from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Legacy Fund for Library Legacy activities.

ECRL Kids Design Glass at MLA

The East Central Regional Library (ECRL) conference session entitled “Creating a Wow! Legacy Project” perfectly met the MLA “Better Together” conference theme. ECRL staff and Library Legacy project sculptor, transported and installed the glass sculptures created through the “Kids Design Glass” project. Barbara Misselt and Vickie Sorn described the project process. Sculptor Anthony Michaud-Scorza talked about the creation of the art pieces – from children’s artwork to blown glass, assisted by Legacy staff Cortney Walbridge and Patty Thompson.

Note the glass sculptures on the display table in the background.

“Kids Design Glass” was made possible with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the people of Minnesota for Library Legacy activities.

GRRL Mosaics

As part of Library Legacy activities, Great River Regional Library (GRRL) commissioned Minneapolis artist, Lisa Arnold, to offer community mosaic workshops and create local art. During the 1-2 hours workshop, attendees learn the basics of making a mosaic and contribute to a community mosaic. Lisa designs the basic format of the mosaic in advance, attendees select glass, tile, and pottery fragments to place within the design. The artist then completes the work after the program by grouting it. The new art piece is displayed in the library.

Each GRRL mosaic was a map of Minnesota with a unique bauble to mark the location of the library. Book titles and subjects are added along the bottom to customize to that location. The Buffalo mosaic features a bison on the Minnesota map where the City of Buffalo is located and offers an example of how the regional project is tailored to each community. This region-wide project will conclude this summer and GRRL will have 32 mosaics – one for each GRRL library.

Regions interested in hosting a similar project are encourage to contact Lisa Arnold directly for more information.

Kids Design Glass Highlighted

Each of the 14 fantastical glass sculptures created as part of the East Central Regional Library (ECRL) Kids Design Glass project are featured in the new issue of blogg[ED]^MN.

The Minnesota Department of Education introduced blogg[ED]^MN, as a new communication tool in January 2014. From updates on new efforts, investments and policies to interviews with education leaders and profiles of innovative schools, blogg[ED]^MNoffers a place where readers can stay up to date on what’s going on in Minnesota education.

ECRL Presents Kids Design Glass

East Central Regional Library (ECRL) held a drawing contest at each of the 14 library branches. The winning child’s drawing from each community was created into a glass sculpture.

ECRL will unveil these 14 exquisite, fun and unique sculptures through a traveling exhibit that will visit each branch library between March 3 – 29, 2014. Glassblower, Anthony Michaud-Scorza, will present information on the glassblowing process and share details of this creative project, as well as participate in a question and answer period. Check the ECRL calendar for specific dates, times, and locations.