Forest Grove Library art project artists.jpg
(left to right) Mona Warner, Ed Carpenter, Lauren Sheehan, Greg Kriebel, and Eric Canon.
(Photo credit L.D. Saari)
While the Forest Grove City Library is closed during the Labor Day weekend (Saturday, Sunday and Monday) the first phase of "Mollie's Garden" is due to be completed. Portland-based artist Ed Carpenter designed and is helping to create the glass, wood and metal art project in memory of his mother, Mollie Starbuck, a longtime volunteer at the library.
Ed Carpenter's design for the Forest Grove Library.
The project will be installed below the skylight near the library's main entryway.
Local metal artist Eric Canon and wood artist Greg Kriebel have also participated in the project. Their focus is on the enhancement of the four wooden columns and new light sconces under the skylight.
Canon has completed his portion of the first phase, installing metal brackets on the wooden columns that will support Carpenter's colored glass pieces.
Electricians have been working to upgrade and enhance the lighting for the project, and the skylight over the installation area will be cleaned Thursday and Friday.
Library Director Colleen Winters said Carpenter will be delivering the glass on Friday and will spend the weekend installing it.
Phase two will consist of decorative woodwork and metal bases by Kriebel and Canon, to be applied to the wood columns below the glass structure. Winters said there is not a completion date for phase two at this time.
The Forest Grove Library Foundation, the Forest Grove Public Arts Commission and the City of Forest Grove raised funds for the project. Carpenter donated his design about 13 years ago. The library doubled in size following a 1998 bond measure that provided funds for the expansion, and the skylight near the entryway in the building's newer half was built to house Carpenter's design.
The total project cost was recently estimated at $69,000. Winters said that figure will now be closer to $70,000, due to increased costs for the enhanced lighting.
The foundation has raised the bulk of the money over the last several years through individual donors and organizations and special fundraising events.
Last fall, the arts commission agreed to raise $5,700 for the foundation. Since then, the commission has nearly doubled its contribution to $11,500.
The project still needs around $3,000 raised. Winters said a tentative agreement has been reached with the McMenamins company to hold a benefit friends and family night on Sept. 30. She feels confident this fundraiser will push the project close to being completely paid for.