Public Art
Overview
The Waukesha Public Library has a collection of public art on permanent display in the Library. The goal for the Public Art Collection is to enhance the community’s quality of life through art. Waukesha Public Library provides an exceptional setting for exhibiting works of art. These works, accessible to all citizens, inspire joy, provoke thought, and reflect the nature of our community.
The current collection represents a community commitment to the fine arts and serves as a statement of the pride that the citizens of Waukesha feel for their Library. Please come by the Library to view the pieces or visit our new page that collects all the art in the building in a single place.
Public Art Request for Proposal
Waukesha Public Library is seeking to expand our Public Art Collection as part of our vision to inspire and engage the community. The Library currently owns 40 pieces of local artwork and hopes to find the next exceptional piece to enhance the cultural and visual aesthetics of our building. Please read through this document for more details on how to submit a proposal.
Public Display Case Opportunity
As part of our mission to champion the power of reading and learning to enrich, empower, and engage all in our community, Waukesha Public Library welcomes exhibits and displays providing interest, information, and enlightenment to the community. Use this link to access the Public Display Case Reservation Request Form.
Committee Members
A Public Art Committee has been established by the Board. They are charged with overseeing all aspects of the collection, and their recommendations are subject to final approval by the Library Board. All art selections are based on the criteria set forth in the Public Art Policy approved by the Library Board. The art is funded by private monies donated by community members and the Friends group. A rigorous application and selection process ensures the highest quality of art. Members of the Committee, appointed by the President of the Board, may include representation from the Board, Library staff, the Friends of Waukesha Public Library, and the art community, as well as citizens interested in the Library’s art collection.
| Lynn Preston | Committee Chair and Retired Art Educator |
| Chris Audley | Manager at Gallery 1 |
| Bonnie Byrd | Library Board Trustee |
| Carmen De La Paz | Artist |
| Peggy Farrell | Artist and Emerita Professor of Art at Carroll University |
| Justin Fondrie | Assistant Professor Carroll University |
| Joan Francoeur | Citizen Member |
| Lynn Gaffey | Artist and Gallery Owner |
| Larry Nelson | Citizen Member and Retired Educator |
| Barb Reinhart | Artist and Emerita Professor of Art at UWM-Waukesha |
| Julie Stockinger | Retired Visual Arts Teacher |
| Bruce Gay | Library Executive Director |
Donate to the Public Art Fund
Please consider a generous donation to the Library’s Public Art Fund.
The cost of the Library’s public art program has been funded entirely with private dollars donated by generous community members and also by the Friends of the Waukesha Public Library. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to the Library’s Public Art Fund, please drop off or mail in a check designated for the Public Art Fund (address below). Thank you!
Waukesha Public Library
Public Art Fund
321 Wisconsin Ave
Waukesha, WI 53186