Fallbrook’s library is home to an extensive art collection and the Permanent Collection is actually part of the building itself.
The design of the Orchid Table had only two requirements, an oval top and casters on each leg. My job was to create a table of pleasing form and balance. I did not want the table to portray a particular style such as southwest or art deco. I had reached the point where the top, legs and stretcher had been designed with placement and species of veneer decided. However, there was something missing – it needed some excitement. It hit me, “NOTCHES, that’s it!”
Surrounding the outdoor Reading Garden, the layers of handmade tiles, found objects, pebbles and so on, represent the sedimentary layers of the earth. Poems and quotes screened onto tiles express the theme in words. How we live on the land and use it will eventually get recycled or reinterpreted into something new. From this soil grows plants, communities, new ideas, libraries.
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.
