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, 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 residents 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 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
Christine Fenner	Citizen Member - Retired Art Consultant
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. To make a tax deductible online donation simply donate to the Waukesha Public Library Fund at the Waukesha County Community Foundation and email Kelly Davis at kdavis@waukesha-wi.gov to confirm your gift's designation for Public Art. If you’d rather mail in a gift, checks can be made out to: WCCF/Waukesha Public Library Fund with Public Art in the Memo Line and mailed to:

Waukesha County Community Foundation Attn: Waukesha Public Library Fund 2727 N Grandview Blvd, Suite 301 Waukesha, WI 53188