Library helps in art 'discovery'

OREM — Visitors to the Orem Public Library can check out much more than just books.

Some stand in awe of the 5,000-piece stained glass window, while others pause at the large wooden totem pole. But most kids make a beeline for the bronze sculpture of a little boy and climb on his head.

The Orem library, 58 N. State, showcases the city's 182-piece collection of oil paintings, watercolors, etchings, wood prints, drawings, ceramics, wood and bronze sculptures and macrames.

"In a gallery, the focal point is art," said Virginia Carlston, associate librarian. "(In a library), it's the concept of discovery. (You'll be) walking down and aisle and all of a sudden notice art."

The city began building its collection in the 1970s through an art commission that was given a budget to purchase art, said library director Louise Wallace. However, the library is also given pieces each year, which keeps the collection growing.

The newest piece — titled "Winter Afternoon" — was painted by Calvin Fletcher and donated by Max D. Weaver just a few weeks ago. Weaver, an artist and art teacher himself, was part of the city's original art commission.

"I think that the visual arts should be shown just like (performance arts)," Weaver, now 90, said. "It's something that should be publicized, brought to the front of the people. The only way you can do it is by having exhibits."

About three years ago, Carlston and Wallace decided it was time to catalog the growing collection and record information about each piece and its artist.

The finished book — nearly 300 pages — gives information about the 108 various artists and their pieces. They can use the book in the library to take a mini-walking tour.

"When they were collecting art they weren't just thinking, 'Let's put up Disney posters,'" Carlston said. "They wanted art that would challenge people to think and interact."

One piece that elicits such a reaction is "Incoming #3" — a nearly life-size alabaster sculpture of a man crouched with a frightened look on his face.

According to the library's book, the sculpture is third in a series by Marty Miller. The pieces show reactions to enemy fire during war.

While thought-provoking, the pieces also have to be safe and kid friendly, since they're visited by an average of 1,950 patrons each day, many of whom are children.