Marin County Library lending artwork from local artists

Alex Baker
·2 min read

(BCN) — The Marin County Free Library has a great idea for those wanting to impress visitors with their taste in art — or just want to look at something different on the wall — but lack the budget.

They’ll loan some art.

County officials announced Thursday that library card holders can use its new On the Wall program to borrow art by a Marin artist. The South Novato, Point Reyes Station, Inverness, Corte Madera, and Marin City branches will each have six pieces of art to loan, just like a book.

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Each branch is inviting the public to celebrate the program and meet the artists. The first event was Thursday at the Point Reyes Library, followed by ones from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Marin City Library, from noon to 1 p.m. April 13 at the South Novato Library (followed by art making for children next door in The Shop from 1-3 p.m.); from 6-7:30 p.m. April 17 at the Corte Madera Library; and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 27 at the Inverness Library.

The artists whose work is the basis of the program include:

  • Harvey Abernathey

  • Maalak Atkins

  • Richard Blair

  • Cathy Bowman

  • Molly Brown

  • Rick Budde

  • Miranda Chen

  • Steve Disenhof

  • Bob Hemstock

  • Jennifer Isaac

  • Jane Zich

  • Toni Littlejohn

  • Barbara McLain

  • Susan McMudie

  • Victoria Mimiaga

  • Nancy Nichols

  • Anne Pelletier

  • Mary Pieper-Warren

  • Carlos Porrata

  • Meg Reilly

  • Noel Ryan

  • Wendy Schwartz

  • Tom Soltesz

  • Stephanie Thwaites

  • Amanda Tomlin

  • Tim Walker

  • Marnie Walters

  • Ayumi Kie Weissbuch

  • Kathryn Whitten

  • Thomas Wood.

The Marin County Free Library said in a statement that the program was created so all county residents could have access to original art to enjoy in their homes.

“What better place to house an art lending collection than the Marin County Free Library? Libraries are open to all, and they lend stuff, like books and magazines and vinyl and binoculars and … fruit pickers? Yes, fruit pickers, too.,” the library said.

Another goal of the project is to support local artists.

“The arts are a historic cornerstone of Marin’s identity,” library officials said. “This program supports both local artists and residents to ensure the continued support of and engagement with the arts, from all of Marin’s communities.”

The library sent out a call for art and said the response was “fantastic.” Artists were able to submit up to three two-dimensional pieces such as drawings, paintings, photography, prints, textiles, or mixed media.

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