The Opening Day for the new Gum Spring Library is February 23, 2013. In celebration of this wonderful and long-awaited forthcoming event, and to thank the generous financial donors to the public art wall that was commissioned by the Friends of the Gum Spring Library (FROGS), the FROGS held a special pre-opening reception at the library.
The beautiful interior of the new Gum Springs Library
(Note: the reception was paid for by the independent non-profit Friends of the Gum Spring Library. No county funds were used.) Art patrons were able to take a sneak preview peek at Joan Gardiner’s magnificent design she has named “Riparian Zone.” According to Ms. Gardiner, the inspiration for her “natural” masterpiece was the peaceful wetlands she was able to see from the library site. A cornucopia of animal life found in the Loudoun County area, “Riparian Zone” features realistic depictions of creatures in soft muted tones. “I didn’t want the art on the wall to be glaring,” said Ms. Gardiner. “I wanted it to be in concert with the peaceful tone of the library’s architectural design.”
The "Riparian Zone" is under construction at the new Gum Spring Library.
It was not yet finished at the time of the reception on February 18. The design and crafting of the individual intricate pieces of the art wall each take a good deal of time. However, Ms. Gardiner hopes to have it completed in time for the Grand Public Opening at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 23. A unique and beautiful expanse of original work, “Riparian Zone” is a tribute to our area wildlife and should serve as an inspiration to future generations of library members to cherish nature’s own wonderful works of art.
A section of the public art wall under construction at the new Gum Spring Library. The individual animals will be much more visible once the entire piece has been stuccoed.
Many people helped make the installation of the public art wall possible including the architecture and construction teams. The FROGS would like to especially thank Van Metre, Aldie Veterinary Services, the Kirkpatrick Farms Home Owners Association, and the Loudoun County Library Foundation for their financial contribution.
Be sure to stop and admire this wonderful example of original art from a local artist when YOU visit the new Gum Spring Library.
To find out how you can buy a permanent donor tile with your name on it, visit: http://gumspringlibrary.blogspot.com/
Visit, the Loudoun County Library web site at: http://library.loudoun.gov/
- A piece of Joan Gardiner’s “Riparian Zone” ready to be placed on the public art wall at the Gum Spring Library.
FROGS' Bob Michaud with Nancy Nuell.
Gum Spring Library "FROGS" members
Ross & Tiffany Fischer enjoy the new library!
Keep Scrolling!
There’s lots of photos!
To learn more about the Friends of the Gum Spring Library or FROGS, as they are commonly known, visit:
http://gumspringlibrary.blogspot.com/
To learn more about the new library, visit:
Loudoun County’s Gum Spring Library
Friends of the Gum Spring Library (FROGS) members Shriya Awasthi and Kimber Garland-Homes are happy to see the library finally opening!
Art Patron Aimee Luce from Aldie Vet and John Gardiner enjoy Joan Gardiner's work.
Gum Spring Library Branch Manager John Huddy takes a break. Enjoy it now, John. You may never get to sit down and relax again!
Artist Joan Gardiner and FROGS member Deborah Deal.
Nancy Nuell with Karen and David Montgomery
Linda Holtslander, Community Relations for Loudoun County Library, and artist Joan Gardiner.
The "stacks" at the new Gum Spring Library are stuffed with the latest and most popular titles.
There's plenty of comfortable seating at the light-filled new Gum Spring Library.
The new Gum Spring Library offers an entire section that's devoted exclusively to teens.
There's room for teens to just (quietly) hang out in their own section of the library.
The "library cafe" at the new Gum Spring Library.
Kids have their own special and separate section at the new Gum Spring Library. Pictured is the entry to the Children's section.
Everything is "to scale" for the littlest readers - even the adorable furniture.
The new library features a beautiful open floor plan.
In addition to the "Riparian Zone" art wall created by Joan Gardiner, the library also features a wall of paintings depicting local history.
The Children's section features natural scenes on the divider windows.
The "Check Out" desk stands at the ready for the crowd expected on Saturday morning, February. 23.
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