In November of this year, the Tompkins County Public Library (TCPL) is celebrating its 10 year anniversary at 101 East Green Street, in the building that was the former Woolworth Department Store in downtown Ithaca. As part of this celebration, TCPL will mount a three-part exhibit in its facility that will feature the library of the past, the present and the future.

The exhibit will open November 5, 2010 and remain on display through the end of the year.

Architects, artists, designers and creative library lovers are invited to submit artwork that depicts the library of the future, circa 2060, for inclusion in this exhibit. Artists are asked to imagine the library of the future and express this visualization artistically.  For ideas please see the attached case statement. A bibliography has been developed that includes books and articles about future trends in libraries. These non-circulating materials are available at TCPL’s Reference Desk.

• Two dimensional works are desired but three dimensional work will be considered.
• The deadline for submission of artwork is October 4, 2010. Notification to selected artists will be October 11, 2010.

The Jury

• Selection of artwork to be displayed will be made by a jury that includes Martha Walker, Fine Arts Librarian, Cornell University; Nancy E. Green, The Gale and Ira Drukier Curator of Prints, Drawings, and Photographs, Herbert F. Johnson, Museum of Art, Andrew Weislogel, Associaate Curator/Master Teacher, Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art; JoAnn Cornish, Director of City Planning, City of Ithaca; and members of the organizing committee (Rosie Rice, Assistant Library Director, Tompkins County Public Library; Sally Grubb, Exhibit Coordinator, Tompkins County Public Library; Julee Johnson, Volunteer, Tompkins County Public Library Foundation.)
• Selection criteria will include, but is not limited to:
  • 1) Artistic and technical merit
  • 2) Creativity: the extent to which the design shows originality, whimsy or humo
  • 3) Execution of theme: the degree to which the work reflects futuristic or visionary scenarios.

Display Space

• The exhibit will be displayed in the center of the Library.  Many pieces will be hung from the ceiling.
• In order to make a strong visual statement, artwork must be 16” x 20” / 20” x 16” in size or larger, but no bigger than 33” x 23”/ 23” x 33”
• Finished work must not be framed but should be prepared so that it can be attached to foam core, which will be suspended from the ceiling.
• Each artist may submit up to three pieces.

How to Submit Artwork

Please submit a digital image of each piece of artwork at 300 dpi (file size approximately 10” wide, variable height) either on CD to Sally Grubb, Exhibit Coordinator, Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E. Green Street, Ithaca, NY, 14850, or as an attachment to an email to sgrubb@tcpl.org.

Each image must be identified by file name and accompanied by the following information:

• File Name
• Name (of Artist)
• Title of piece
• Medium
• Price (if for sale)
• Size of piece (in inches)
• Contact information of artist:
  • Address
  • Phone
  • Email
• Age (if under 18)

Artists whose work is selected to be hung in the library will be notified by October 11th. The work should be delivered to the library between 12:30 and 8:00 PM on October 20, 21, or 22.

All artists are invited to submit artwork. There is no geographical limit and artists may submit up to three pieces for exhibit.

Virtual Exhibit

All work submitted will be included in a virtual exhibit to be displayed on the library website concurrent with the show.

Case Statement for Library of the Future

For more information:

Contact Sally Grubb, Exhibit Coordinator, Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E. Green St., Ithaca, NY, 14850, (607) 272-4557 ext. 232, sgrubb@tcpl.org