AIKEN — Captivating stories don’t just fill the shelves at the Aiken County Public Library — they now fill the walls. Thanks to Friends of the Aiken County Public Library, Art Among the Authors brings a rotating display of works by local artists to the library.
After the recent renovations, Friends of the Library members were brainstorming how they could decorate the building’s fresh blank walls.
“We wanted to take advantage of the building’s wonderful new design while finding a way to welcome more members of the community into the library,” said Victoria Hampton, former president of the Friends of the Library.
“I envisioned rotating exhibitions where artists — both young and old — could showcase their work and even sell it. The opportunity to mix tangible art pieces with books and the many other educational offerings seemed like a win-win for patrons, visitors and artists alike,“ added Hampton.
Hampton assembled an art initiative committee that teamed with the Aiken Artist Guild, the Aiken County Public Library and the ABBE Board of Trustees to bring the program to life.
“The response has been overwhelming,” said Hampton. “With so much support from the library and board as well as the enthusiasm among local artists to participate, the Friends will rotate exhibits every two months and plan to extend the invitation to display works to local schools and other organizations.”
In addition to Art Among the Authors, the permanent collection of historic art pieces has been refreshed, reframed and rehung. “If you haven’t visited the Aiken County Public Library recently, the Friends invite the community to come check out a great book as well as the fabulous local art hanging on both floors,” said Hampton.
The Friends of the Aiken County Public Library is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that supports the library’s programs and funds many of the library’s capital and operational needs to make the it accessible to all. For more information on volunteering, becoming a member or donating to the Friends of the Library, visit aikenlibraryfriends.org.
Artists interested in displaying their work in the library should email Glenda McNichols at mcnichols1313@yahoo.com.
The Art Among the Authors program created by the Friends of the Aiken County Public Library showcases the works of area artists. Pictured, from left, are Glenda McNichols, chairman of Art Among the Authors; Nancy Robb, president of the Aiken Artist Guild; Victoria Hampton, past president of the Friends of the Aiken County Public Library; and Jessica Christian, library manager. They are standing with a painting by local artist Marsha Shelburn at the Aiken County Public Library.