The Art Depot at Butler Public Library
A library and museum collaboration creates a "free little art gallery" for all to enjoy.
Today we feature a nifty collaboration between a public library and art museum that inspires community engagement with art, creativity, and local history. Butler Public Library’s Executive Director, Sarah Dempsey, answered our questions. Enjoy! ~Laura
IArtLibraries: Please introduce yourself! Who are you, and what's your role at your organization? What should we know about the library and the community?
Sarah Dempsey: My name is Sarah Dempsey and I am the Executive Director of Butler Public Library. We serve a small, rural community on the east side of DeKalb County and our library district totals a little over 2,600 people.
I grew up in this community, graduated from its school system, left it in 1987 and returned to it in 2002. My family, like many, have lived and worked here for generations. We are proud of our heritage. Our [free, little] art gallery is a representation of our long demolished train depot here in Butler, which delivered and transported citizens via the Wabash railroad for many years.
What can you tell us about the inspiration for a Free Little Art Gallery (FLAG) at the library?
The impetus for our FLAG really began with representatives of Garrett Museum of Art, here in DeKalb County. Their organization's goal is to place these galleries throughout this County and to encourage, provide and showcase art from our community members. Through their gracious work, we only needed to agree to the project and provide a place for the FLAG to be installed. GMoA financed the entirety of our project, from the materials needed to the artist who designed and completed the gallery.
Currently, our FLAG, which we have christened "The Art Depot" greets all who come in our front door, so there are endless opportunities to talk about the concept of "give and take" art. We have already built a small collection of finished pieces from the public and have encouraged participation by providing 3" x 3" canvases for any visitor to take and create (with the hopes that they will share). Although a novel concept for this area, the idea has taken hold and we have received dozens of favorable responses. We are hopeful that this will be a fixture in our community for many years to come.
To see what else is happening at Butler Public Library, check out their website.