Brandywine Art Guide: A new space for art

Posted by Victoria Rose on December 23, 2023

Libraries are much more than books. They are community spaces that offer safe havens, information, access, knowledge, and inspiration. The new Kennett Library & Resource Center in Kennett Square, which opened in August, brings further creativity with an Art Gallery that showcases local artists. A new Art Exhibition brings sculptural works from artist Lisa Fedon to the central space in January, inspired by the activities of the library itself.

“I have always been fascinated by hands,” said Fedon. “Perhaps because I work with my hands, but regardless I think hands and the activities of hands tell a lot about a person. Therefore, I thought it would be fun to use hands for the exhibit to express some of the activities in the library.”

The pieces use twisted metal and other elements to represent the many roles of the library. The inspiration came not only from readers and visitors but from those who normally have hidden roles.

“One day while walking around the library, I noticed Ron Thompson, the maintenance man, mopping the floor in one of the classrooms,” said Fedon. “I went in and asked if I could take pictures of his hands. He looked at his hands and seemed to be thinking, ‘Really?’ However, he agreed to go about his work as I took photos. I titled the piece that I created Behind the Scenes.”

According to John Baker, president of the Chester County Art Association, “The gallery wall provides an opportunity for the library to highlight various local and regional artists including student exhibitions. To be able to incorporate the visual arts in this space brings another educational component to this resource center.”

Baker worked with other community members to help design not only the gallery space but also the donor wall, which was enhanced with a metal tree sculpture created by Fedon.

Visual arts are incredibly important in community spaces, bringing vibrancy and life. Every person who enters the library will be able to view works from the talented local art community. Bringing art to the public, rather than enclosing it in galleries and private spaces, inspires all who enter the library.

“For me, this new library is one of the nicest libraries I have been in,” said Mary Hutchins, development director for the Kennett Library. “I love the light, stone, and the artistic elements.”

Accessibility was a priority for the space, allowing all members of the public to engage with and utilize the library’s many resources.

“Building on its role as a community resource, the new library offers ample gathering space, including a 110-seat auditorium, which provides opportunities to promote, highlight, and advance the arts and cultural strengths of the region,” said Hutchins.

An arts committee coordinates the exhibits and helps to curate and hang the art in the Art Gallery. An exhibition is planned for February celebrating Black History Month, and more are on the horizon. There are plans to bring more art to the town with a mural on the exterior wall of the library.

“The vision for the mural is to reflect Kennett area’s history — the representational depiction of significant figures and activities for which the area is known,” Hutchins said.

The Call for Artists for this mural is open through Jan. 26, and over 1,000 square feet of wall space will be covered with the final selected design.

“The Kennett Library art gallery was made possible by a generous gift of the Cabot-Kjellerup Foundation,” Hutchins added. “A portion of all art sales will benefit the Kennett Library and its arts and culture programming.”

The Lisa Fedon Exhibit opens Jan. 4 at the Art Gallery at Kennett Library with a reception from 5 to 7 pm. The Kennett Library at Bayard Taylor Commons is located at 320 East State Street, Kennett Square. More information can be found at KennettLibrary.org.

About Victoria Rose

Victoria Rose (she/her) is an editor, writer, avid reader, self-described geek, and fan of all things creative. Her passion for words has led to her current career as a freelance editor, and she is the owner of Flickering Words, an editing service. When not wielding a red pen (or cursor), she loves reading books of all genres, playing video, board, and word games, baking ridiculous creations to show off on the internet, or enjoying the gorgeous outdoors. She is a board member of the West Chester Film Festival and part of the Thirsty Monsters, a team of streamers from around the world who fundraise for various charities supporting LGBTQIA+ and accessibility rights. She can be found online @WordsFlickering or the Brandywine Art Guide @BrandywineArtGuide.