Posted by Candice on Friday, Apr 10, 2015
For over 30 years, the Iowa City Public Library has maintained the Art To Go collection--maybe you've seen it, stored in bins and along the walls that separate the Children's Room from the rest of the first floor. About half of this collection is made up of framed posters and prints of well-known works of art, and the other half is original works of art by local artists. Anyone with a library card can come in to the Library, browse the collection, and take home with them something beautiful and unique to decorate their walls with.
How do we add the original works of art to the collection? Each year the Library holds the Art Purchase Prize, a contest that invites local artists to submit their original works to be judged for purchase and inclusion in the collection. The budget for this comes from the Library Board of Trustees and the Friends Foundation. What about the artistic consideration and judgment? That comes from the Library's Art Advisory Committee, and that committee is looking for a few good people!
If you would like to be involved with this collection--to help select and provide art for our community to enjoy, while at the same time providing artists with a chance at some recognition and compensation--please think about serving on the Art Advisory Committee.
If you have questions or would like more details, please contact Candice Smith at csmith@icpl.org or 319-887-6031.
About the Author
I work at the Info Desk on the second floor, and I select books for the adult nonfiction collection. I have a degree in anthropology, which really helps in selecting...well...almost anything. I also manage the Art To Go collection of framed prints and original art, and the nonfiction DVDs.
What do you like to read?
In no particular order:... more
I was excited enough about this book that I went and bought a copy before the library got it...I'm hopeful it won't disappoint! For those of you who read Candice Millard's fantastic book about the assassination of President Garfied--"Destiny of the Republic"--and wondered what the heck his assassin had been getting up to before the event, this book might fill in some of those details for you. Turns out he spent a bit of time in the Oneida community in upstate New York, and if you think that it was all about making silverware, think again! There were a lot of interesting communities around this time, working to turn their ideal ways of life into a reality, and Oneida was one of the most successful. If you're a history buff with a penchant for a little of the weird, this book might be worthwhile. -Candice