STORY AND PHOTOS BY MICHELE MILLER
Looking for something to spruce up those walls that are really closing in these days? Maybe you’re wanting to bring a little culture into your private space, or simply spend some real time studying the paint strokes of an artist who’s caught your eye?
The New Port Richey Public Library’s “Art-on-the-Move” program offers a way to make that happen by offering patrons an opportunity to check out a piece of art work at three-months at a time – for free.
Yes, for free.
The dropping of a $50 refundable deposit fee to borrow a piece of art is a new twist that will hopefully entice patrons to take advantage of the revolving art program.
Art-on-the-Move launched in Sept. 2019 and now features some 45 pieces from the extensive collection of Richard Melton who serves as chair for the New Port Richey Cultural Affairs Committee. Fifteen additional pieces were recently added to the collection, which is set to change quarterly.
Melton is the owner of Abrams Art Gallery a local gallery that converted to an online only a couple of years ago. He first proposed the idea for Art-on-the-Move to library director, Andrea Figart, as a way to get art into the local community.
“I told her, ‘If you can do it I will donate all the art and I will even change it out,’ Melton said. “I thought it was a revolutionary kind of thinking. It’s about culture and making it more accessible to local patrons – so people could do the same thing with art as they could do with a book. They don’t have to go to Ikea to get art.”
Resource Management Librarian, Victoria Anderson selects and catalogues the pieces and said she is thrilled with the new acquisitions, as well as the recent waiver of the deposit fee.
Resource Management Librarian, Victoria Anderson.
PHOTOS BY MICHELE MILLER
“I always had in mind for it to be free,” said Anderson, who oversaw a similar program during her tenure with the Iowa City Public Library. That program took off in the 1970s and was wildly popular in the college town, she said, adding that she hopes the local program will catch on.
So far there have only been a few circulations with Art-on-the-Move.
Even so, said Anderson, “It’s very apparent that we love art in this community. I love walking down the street and seeing all the murals we have. We want to have a collection that caters to those wants.”
Thirty-five pieces from the Art-on-the-Move collection are displayed on library walls, with some meant to catch the eye of patrons as they enter the library doors.
“It’s a non-traditional (offering) that a lot of members still don’t know is available,” Anderson said. “Most of our patrons happen on it while browsing for a book.”
And maybe get lost for a bit in the art as they peruse the stacks.
Studying a piece of art offers escapism from what’s going on in the world, Anderson said. “Creative interpretation creates a moment of reflection.”
“People pause at the collection and in a society were we are ‘go, go, go’ all the time, it’s important to create those pauses. The collection has done that with the art.”
- The New Port Richey Public Library is located at 5939 Main Street in New Port Richey. For information about Art on the Move and other programs check out the New Port Richey Public Library website at nprlibrary.org or contact Resource Management Librarian, Victoria Anderson at (7272) 853-1274.
- The Cultural Affairs Committee makes recommendations and advises the City Council regarding financial sponsorship and creation of activities promoting City residents’ cultural education and recreation. Some projects include several shows put on in conjunction with the city’s recreation department include student art shows and a performance featuring members of the Florida Symphony Orchestra. Meetings are held on the third Monday of every month at 6 pm in the Recreation and Aquatic Center conference room. For information check them out on Facebook of or the New Port Richey website.
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