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Nick Bottom sculpture at the Geneva Public Library
The Tri-Cities is filled with public art. This is the first in a series exploring these pieces and the artists who created them.
Geneva Public Library has always made room for art. That commitment has only grown with its new building.
A sculpture of Nick Bottom from Midsummer Night's Dream once greeted readers outside the old James Street library location, and it made the move to the new Seventh Street building when it opened in 2020. The building itself was designed as a community gathering space, and it includes a dedicated gallery for rotating art displays.
"Our public art program reflects our belief that a library is not only a place for books and learning, but a hub for creativity, culture, and community,” said Library Director Christine Lazaris. “By integrating art throughout our spaces, we create opportunities for connection and discovery while positioning the library as a welcoming cultural destination in Geneva."
The second-floor exhibition space is worth a visit on its own. It is currently home to Freya, the head and tail of the Viking ship that sailed from Norway to Chicago for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. You’ll also find two scale models of the library's old and new buildings, built entirely from LEGO® bricks.
Creative programming is a key aspect of the library, which maintains a local authors collection, hosts Night Writers Workshop (a monthly writing group), and offers maker space programs for hands-on creative exploration.
"We're intentional about showcasing artists at every stage, from students to working professionals, through both our gallery exhibitions and our sculpture installations," said Public Relations Coordinator Chazmin Baechler. “Together, these experiences make art accessible, engaging, and a vibrant part of our community."
Friends of Geneva Public Library with “Joy.”
The library's newest addition makes that mission hard to miss. Joy — a tall, white, powder-coated aluminum sculpture by artist Cecilia Lueza — now stands on the library grounds, commissioned by Friends of Geneva Public Library and funded entirely without taxpayer dollars.
According to the library’s website:
The work celebrates the beauty of nature and the concept of community. The sculpture's dynamic composition consists of a white circular shape from which butterflies of different species and sizes seem to emerge to take flight. The circle symbolizes unity and balance, while the butterflies represent connections and interactions.
According to Deborah Mlot, Vice President of Friends of Geneva Public Library, the Friends of Geneva Public Library group sponsors this sculpture because it brings something special and unexpected to the library grounds.
“It's exciting to be part of a project that invites curiosity and creativity, and that makes the library an even more vibrant place for our community to gather,” she said.
Future public art spotlight pieces will include Hortus (created by St. Charles-born artist Joshua Enck) and Willow (donated by Geneva residents Ken and Sharon Celi). See all the works at gpld.org/arts-and-culture.
Stay tuned for further write-ups about public art in the Tri-Cities.
This piece was written by Ellen Jo Ljung, a longtime Geneva resident, author, award-winning educator, and glass artist. Visit her website to learn more.
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