Inspiration for the eye as well as the mind behind new Greenfield Library fund drive

Jane Ford-Stewart
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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GREENFIELD - An art fair was chosen as the perfect official kickoff for the Greenfield Public Library's fund drive to commission a work of art for the library's spacious atrium and possibly another one for the children's reading corner.

The Celebration of Greenfield Arts outdoor fair  was held Aug. 18 at the library, 5310 W. Layton Ave.

The new art will enhance the library's celebration of its 10th anniversary next July, said Library Director Sheila O'Brien.

In its fundraising information, the library says art and literature go hand in hand. That was the inspiration of one of the staffers, all of whom were asked for ideas, O'Brien said.

"What I believe she was trying to express is that literature inspires intellectual curiosity. The arts inspire creativity, enchantment and exploring the world visually," O'Brien said.

Four-year-old Selah Taylor of Greenfield looks at artwork on display during the Celebration of Greenfield Arts outdoor art fair at the Greenfield Public Library on Saturday, August 18, 2018. The event raised funds for the library to commission art for the atrium and children's reading corner.

No cash for art

Ten years ago, art had to stand in line behind such necessities as tables, chairs and computers when the library held a fundraiser to help it settle into its new building, she said. The community threw itself enthusiastically behind the project, giving generously, but the city and the country were deep in a recession, she said.

"During the recession,we felt very blessed to accomplish what we did," she said. "But it was all used up on essentials. No money was left for the atrium."

A fundraising drive by the Greenfield Public Library to add color and warmth to its atrium  by commissioning a work of art will officially start Aug. 18.

Now, for the library's 10th anniversary, library officials envision a mural, a sculpture, a mobile or other kind of 3-dimensional art work for the lofty two-story atrium, she said.

"It calls for some art and some color," she said, especially the walls between the first and second floors. 

In addition to accepting checks and cash, the library for the first time is trying crowdfunding. It's based on a large number of people donating what they can, large or small.

Kathy David of Franklin hangs artwork in her booth during the Celebration of Greenfield Arts outdoor art fair at the Greenfield Public Library on Saturday, August 18, 2018. The event raised funds for the library to commission art for the atrium and children's reading corner.

Crowdfunding

Such giving via computer makes donating as easy as ordering from Amazon, O'Brien said. 

Several sites offer crowdfunding. The library chose givinggrid.com

Here's how to donate:

  1. Search for givinggrid.com
  2. Click on the "Everyone Else Go Here" box
  3. At the top right of the new screen, type Greenfield in the small "search for a giving grid" box
  4. "Greenfield Creates" will drop down. Click on it.
  5. A number of colored boxes will appear. Click on an empty one and fill out your giving information.

Otherwise, cash is welcome and checks should be made out to the Greenfield Public Library, attention Greenfield Creates fundraising campaign.

The fundraising goal is $35,000. The drive will continue through November.

Greenfield Creates with the tagline of Help us create something beautiful is the theme of the fund drive.

A variety of artwork attracts visitors to the Adobe Echoes booth during the Celebration of Greenfield Arts outdoor art fair at the Greenfield Public Library on Saturday, August 18, 2018. The event raised funds for the library to commission art for the atrium and children's reading corner.

Art-literature

The library salutes the art-literature connection every year in many ways — hosting numerous art exhibits featuring local artists and especially students, presenting dozens of craft workshops, and holding many musical and theater performances. For several years, library has sponsored the popular "Open Acoustic Jam" once a month where anyone who plays an instrument or likes to sing can join in for an informal jam session. The library also has an adult coloring club that meets monthly.

Through all that, library folks know full well how much artistic talent is in Greenfield, O'Brien said, hence the "Greenfield Creates" theme.

To build on that theme, the library will have a number of arts activities throughout fall:

  •  For young children, there is "Smart Start Art" on the first and third Mondays of the month at 11:05 a.m. Sept. 17 through Dec. 3. The crafts will focus on learning shapes, colors, numbers, letters, patterns, and animals.
  •   For school- aged children, there is "Crafter Hours" on the second Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. Sept. 13 through Dec. 13.
  •   For teens grades seven to 12, there is "Teen Tuesdays" on the first Tuesday of the month at 4 p.m. This  group will feature crafts such as making CD case picture frames, customizing fidget spinners, a "craft buffet", and DIY gifts. Sept. 4 through Dec. 4.
  •   For adults, there is the Adult Coloring and Game Club meeting at 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month Sept. 4 through Nov. 6.
  •   Also for adults, there is adult crafts at 6 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month with Sept. 27: focusing on making pumpkins out of bottle corks; Oct. 25: fleece ear warmers.
  •   For photographers and outdoor-lovers of all ages, the library will exhibit photos throughout November in the "My Favorite Greenfield Tree" photo contest being sponsored by the City of Greenfield Tree Commission and the Greenfield Beautification Committee. Photograph entries must be received by Oct. 15. 

 

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