Finishing Touches Add Artistic Charm to New Bainbridge Library
When the Geauga County Public Library’s new $12 million Bainbridge Township branch opened in February of 2021, with state of the art amenities, visitors immediately noticed something important was missing: local flavor.
When the Geauga County Public Library’s new $12 million Bainbridge Township branch opened in February of 2021, with state of the art amenities, visitors immediately noticed something important was missing: local flavor.
“Because we opened during the pandemic, we had no grand opening ceremony for the new building,” GCPL Director Kris Carroll explained July 22 during a reception for three local artists whose works are featured throughout the building.
“We opened during the pandemic to give the public access,” Carroll said. “We got a lot of feedback from people who told us they loved the new building, but they wanted to see something on the walls.”
The library board commissioned three local artists to contribute artwork to decorate the new facility. They chose painter Timothy Callaghan; pastel artist Christine Wallis; and literary illustrator Karen Sandstrom.
The three artists’ works and 39 colorful locally-made quilts were displayed in the children’s section, public meeting room and the adult section during the public afterhours reception July 22.
Wallis, of Chester Township, is a graduate of the Columbus College of Art and Design. Although she specializes in pastels and portraits, she said she is branching out into collages, oils, acrylics and assemblage art, which uses a variety of recycled objects.
Her works will be exhibited at the library for three months. Some pieces are for sale and one has sold already, she said.
Callaghan’s “Four Seasons” is on display in the adult section. The Collinwood artist has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Cleveland Institute of Art and specializes in painting scenes from everyday life in local neighborhoods.
Sandstrom, of Cleveland, left a long career as a book reviewer and writer at the Cleveland Plain Dealer so she could pursue studies in art illustration at the Cleveland Institute of Art, where she served as director of communications. She is also a well-known illustrator of children’s books.
Her five large panels, “Where We Go When We Stay Where We Are,” decorate the children’s section.
“This is a fantastic opportunity,” Sandstrom said as she took a break from greeting visitors and fans.
“I’ve been a reader since I was a kid, who begged my mom to teach me to read. I love being in the children’s realm with my work,” she said.
Sandstrom said the architects who designed the library were familiar with her work and the library board commissioned the panels for the Bainbridge branch.
Bainbridge resident Margo Parker attended the reception with her husband, John Bruce.
“Karen is a friend and we’re kind of soul sisters,” Parker said. “I just love the creativity, with the art work on display and I love the quilts that are so colorful and non-traditional. It’s great to meet these artists and get to know them. We go to a lot of art shows.”
Library officials said that 25 local artists from the library’s ongoing quilting class, led by Colleen Powers, displayed 39 quilts throughout the library during the two-hour event.
Carroll said she was pleased with the art displays and being able to introduce them to the library patrons and the public.
“We are very happy to have people come in and see all the local talent on display in our beautiful new building,” she said.
