Posted by Candice on Friday, Oct 16, 2015
This year's Art Purchase Prize contest has resulted in the purchase of eight new works of original art. During the annual contest, the Library solicits art from artists who live, work, or exhibit in the Iowa City area; the art is then judged by the Library's Art Advisory Committee, made up of six local residents who are involved with, and have an interest in, the arts. Iowa City has a very vibrant and active arts community, and the contest always brings in a wonderful variety of entries.
The art will be on display during the months of December and January, and then will be added to the Library's Art-To-Go collection of framed artwork. Works from this collection can be checked out for two months by anyone with an ICPL library card.
The winning entries are: Calliope (water soluble oil on paper, monotype) by Pamela Read; Contact (oil on canvas) by John Tiffany; Ghosts of the Mississippi: Blackhawk Bridge (photograph) by Rebecca Miller; It's Almost 1997 (oil on paper) by Phil Ochs; Red Barn & Winter Trees (acrylic on canvas) by Lianne Westcot; Still Life with Metal Pitcher & Pears (watercolor and pastel on paper) by David Noyes; and View From Overpass I & II (charcoal on paper) by Joe McKenna.
This book is not in my regular wheelhouse, for sure, but I was lucky enough to have it recommended to me by a colleague who shall remain nameless, but who has a thick Northumbrian accent and is a sassy lass. Anyways, I haven't laughed so hard while reading a book in a long time, and this story--albeit short--is full of elements that I like! A likeable narrator, some suspense, travel, a lot of humor, and of course, a nice ending. I mustn't forget the art--it's no secret that children's books often have absolutely amazing illustrations, and this little tome doesn't disappoint. Kids or no, I definitely recommend taking this book out for a spin! -Candice