The Ferndale Public Library has morphed into a mini-museum / ad hoc gallery this month, proudly placing a diverse range of dazzling and provocative pieces of artwork in our halls, spanning every medium - from hand-colored photographs to sculptures with recycled musical instruments.
The recently founded Ferndale Public Library Arts & Exhibitions Committee is curating its inaugural Group Exhibition this Saturday inside the main community meeting room, with local artists present for meet and greets and your viewings augmented by a live musical performance.
"Ferndale is a vibrant and creative community and the library supports this," said committee board-member and FPL-staff Circulation Specialist Lindsey Harnish. "We feel it is very important that local artists have a unique, public exhibition space and that the community gets an opportunity to enjoy these expressions of their neighbors--literal neighbors and their neighbors of the broader region."
The reception will be held in the Community Room from 5:30-8 p.m., with music by Detroit/Ferndale-area musicians Future Slang and Letter Carrier.
Stream: Future Slang - "Prometheus"
Harnish, a talented artist in her own right specializing, often, in interactive pieces, stresses that this is "for everyone and anyone," an "art-party," if you will. Live music, sparkly, non-alcoholic drinks, assembled artists and no other expectations except to just come and enjoy art!
"While all of the art in the show has been made locally," said Harnish, "to me, there’s a running theme of “elsewhere” in the works, be it another place to travel to in person, but more often, a transcendent mental space. There’s a theme of subtle joy and beauty amidst the everyday normal."
Works, inspired by music, stories, dreams and journeys, will be on display in the Atrium and Community Room this week through Oct. 26.
The artists include Jon Anthony, Michelle Crimi, Ben DeFever, Kathy Kosins, Molly Murphy Landis, A. Owen Layne, Andrew Maslowsky, Jon Pickell, Rick Pruckler, Sherry Ann Richards and David Stanton.
The committee will not be involved in the sale of any artwork beyond providing
interested buyers with the artist's provided contact information.
FPL-Arts aims to foster appreciation of two and three-dimensional art for library patrons, through exhibits, lectures, and an expanded collection of art books.
You can find out more here.
Peace Action Collection available
In other Library news: FPL is honored and grateful to have received a grant of $1500 from Peace Action of Michigan.
This grant has supplemented the purchasing of themed materials (books, audiobooks, movies and music CDs) dealing with various peace issues, spanning every age group, adults and children.
This new collection will be unveiled on Friday, which happens to be National Peace Day. All items can be checked out by Ferndale Public Library cardholders and members of other Oakland County libraries.
More Live Music
Circulation Director (and music selector) Kelly Bennett is hosting another edition of her First Stop Friday music series on Oct. 5. This is the community's chance to kick-off their weekend with a free, casual post-supper-time sampling of local music, leading in nicely to wherever else live music enthusiasts may be headed on their busy Friday evenings.
This month features The Jet Rodriguez and Almost Free.
