by Roxa Kreimeyer

For the love of reading and enjoying art

Quincy’s new library had its grand opening on January 19.  Though a heavy snow fall kept some out of town artists and others from coming, it was well attended.  The architect, Brad Brisbine and his wife, Julie, from Wenatchee braved the roads.  The architectural design of the library has made it one of the finest buildings in Quincy. Not only is it spacious, but it has a lovely sun room for quiet reading, large open segregated areas for different activities such as computer work, research, writing, reading, etc., a meeting room, a large workroom, an art gallery for exhibits, a youth area (for youth only) and a marvelous area for young children. In the latter is a huge underwater mural of fish and other oceanic wonders painted by Kim Bacon of Quincy.
For Schiree Ybarra, head librarian, this is a dream come true. She has been librarian for 17 years. The former library was over-crowded with patrons and materials.
The library had graciously shared its small space with the Mary Kazda Art Space since 1994.  It was for exhibits of art work.  The new library boasts a well lighted art gallery plus a permanent art collection which is throughout the library.
The permanent art collection has resulted in over 20 works of art which will remain in the library.  There are photographs, paintings, sculptures, fabric art, and a representation of a variety of media.  An important piece is the painting by Brad Brisbine of a geologic wonder of the area which he painted especially for the library. He donated the painting to go above the fireplace in the quiet area opposite the sun room.
Other artists include Luci Zamora Anderson, metallurgist, whose 4 X 4 metal tree hangs high up on a wall.  Alan Bowman, donated his metal sculpture of a man reading made from farm machinery parts which was made especially for the library.  Also, on loan, from Mr. Bowman, is his an engine with movable parts.  Brent Blake’s painting is of a four piece abstract and another is a fun collage of paint chips;  James and Mary Bennett, donated three photographs.  Two are of the old Quincy church at the museum. The first is an outside view and the second is of the interior of the church.  There is also a Bennett photograph of a view over looking  Quincy with a natural foreground;  Lynn Brown’s has two paintings.  One is  an expressionist painting  of Quincy corn and the other is a donated pastel of a storm over Quincy; Jennifer Doncaster, donated  three nature pictures, a peacock head, a buffalo and a snowy owl.  Danna Dal Porto has three large paintings. Two are mixed media with papered texture. A large crane by Dal Porto was  donated by Pam Toevs; Katherine Downing’s oil “The  Laborer” is done with a palette knife. Pam Toevs also donated a large watercolor floral piece by Shatsuko Hamilton (deseased);. Nona Hengen’s oil painting of six draft horses was donated by Jack Tobin;  Martha Flores is the  sculptor of a mother and children and a larger one of a Hispanic farmer with his produce. The latter will soon be delivered for the special niche. Debby Kooy donated her watercolor of the gorge at George: Jan Cook Mack’s expressionist oil painting “Jack’s Tractor” is of a Quincy farm scene; John Marshall, has three photographs of the area. Two are of farm lands. Another shows a natural foreground with a  distant view of the Vantage Bridge.  Charleen Martin’s painting is a mixed media which includes the moon and flowers.  Consuelo Soto Murphy, has two paintings of Hispanic culture which show children reading in a field and a four generation family making tortillas. These hang on either side of the niche and were commissioned for that space.  Moises Napoles donated his watercolor of Mt Shuksan.  Wesley Nelson’s recycled art, “Dart Face” was donated by Brent Blake.  Don Nutt’s  large oil painting is of the sighting of the first white men by Native Americans.  The area is what is near the Okanogan.  It was donated by Roxa Kreimeyer.  A watercolor by deceased artist, Joyce Peterson, is of Crescent Bar after the flood.  It was donated by Bill and Kay Judge.  A photo of the old church with windows lighted at 2011 Christmas time by Gar Pilliar was donated by him along with a small painting.  Diana Sanford’s  pastel is of Quincy winter grasses by a lake. A framed fabric wall hanging by Lisa Silk shows  children of different ethnic origins having fun. A Weiler painting of Lenore Lake (1948) was donated by Keith and Candy Houston in memory of Ida Stepon Houston. ( Louis Weiler, 1893-1975, lived in Quincy for many years and painted numerous pictures of local scenes. )
The art committee, Pam Barrow, Roxa Kreimeyer and Pam Toevs are very grateful for the generosity of the artists.  All art was purchased with a discount or was  donated.  Artists are either from Quincy or nearby communities.
For the very first exhibit in the new art gallery, high school students and junior high students from the Quincy School District, were asked to show their work.  Teachers are Lauren Kucera and Lisa Silk.  The students’ art drew much attention and admiration at the Grand Opening on January 19. The high school students were learning, many for the first time, to use charcoal and watercolor. The junior high students depicted different forms of ancient communication using media of their choice.
A catered buffet in the meeting room was enjoyed by all who attended and a trio of musicians entertained guests near the fireplace which is opposite the sun room. They were Dyan Solders and Tammara Green on violins and Rachel Pinkerton on harp.  All reside in Quincy.
The library is located at 208 Central Avenue South at the north end of the business district. For more information call the library at 787-2359.