The Historical Wall of Prints in the great room of the Fallbrook Library depicts the rich history of Fallbrook and the surrounding areas. Inked etching plates of copper, zinc and acrylic float over horizontal acrylic and aluminum shapes that reflect our local landscape. The images on the etching plates describe the people and events from the historical past as well as the present. The landscape shapes are engraved with native plants and animals.
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The Designing Architectʼs vision for honoring the agricultural heritage of our community in the Childrenʼs Place inspired me to use vibrant color and realistic texture in creating these whimsical, giant flora to animate our new library. And as I love childrenʼs books, the fruit concepts for this project were happily influenced by “Eating the Alphabet”, a board book by painter and collagist Lois Ehlert. Their resulting ripe bounty is meant to appeal to young and old alike. The excellent upholstery skills of Roberto Ramirez were invaluable in their construction. Any activity under the canopy of springy sunflower petals should bring delight as readers and listeners both find fresh perspective in their surroundings as well as their books. This bloom represents the ever-new opportunity for each of us to blossom in our wholesome efforts to mature ourselves and enrich our community. Iʼm blessed and grateful to artfully contribute in that pursuit.
The bronze sculpture of a woman sharing a book with a child was donated by Irv Handleman as a memorial to his late wife, Carrie, who volunteered many hours at the library.
The “Donor Wall”, created by the same artist who did the tile artwork in the Reading Garden, is located on the front wall between the library entrance and the Poet’s Patio.
Betsy says of her work: “The tile mural imagery, colors, and words in the large Donor Wall panels represent the spirit of Fallbrook. In between the three large panels are donor tiles and quote tiles reflecting the important influence that books and libraries have on people’s lives.”
The structure that separates the main library from the Community Room and Poet’s patio, incorporates the textures and shapes that define the Fallbrook region:
The undulating bronze, stainless steel, and regular steel woven fence, patinaed and sealed with wax, is 8’ h x 30.5’w with a gate on either end.
