Library staff skills shown at gallery

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

An assortment of artworks produced by staff and volunteers are being displayed at the Strathmore Municipal Library this month, with some up for sale.

The library usually features local artists in its gallery space. But when libraries reopened unexpectedly and no artist was on the books, Carmen Erison, the assistant director of library services who runs the gallery program, was in a bit of a bind.

“The next thing you know, the library is open and we have nothing on our walls,” said Erison.

But she didn’t have to look far to find a talented group of artists with works to display. 

“Why don’t we showcase the talented artists we have on staff?” she asked. So, she put the call out to the library’s staff and volunteers, and they responded with a unique and assorted array of artworks.

“When you walk into the library, you will see a great collection of all sorts of arts and crafts,” she said. Examples include paintings on canvas, watercolours, knitting, and even the scrapbooking work of one staff member.

The collection shows the unique talents of the staff and volunteers. But it also gives the library a chance to give back for all their hard work. When items are sold, 20 per cent of proceeds go to the library, with the rest going to the artist.

“I’ve come to appreciate everything they bring to the table, and this gives us a little chance to support them in another way as well,” said Erison.