easel (Experience Art in Southeastern Libraries) via Arts and Culture Live!

SELCO (Southeastern Libraries Cooperating) and Southeastern Minnesota Visual Artists (SEMVA) partnered to provide libraries a unique exhibit and programming opportunity entitled "easel: Experience Art in Southeastern Libraries". easel showcased artistic works by artists residing in the southeastern counties of Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, or Winona. The easel artwork reflects each artist's interpretation of a book, letter, or letters, authors, reading, or the library. The traveling exhibit will be showcased in libraries, schools and an art center throughout southeastern Minnesota from January 2014 through June 2015. SELCO required that all pieces be in-keeping with the theme and suitable for viewing by the general public. Any 3-D artwork could only be a maximum of 12x12x12 inches, and at least one of those dimensions had to be 12 inches. All 2-D artwork was required to be 12x12 inches, including frame. This unusual and limited size closely resembles the criteria from "Foot-in-the-Door" hosted every decade by the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The small and consistent size provides easier transport and enables all libraries to consider displaying the artwork, even those with very limited space. SELCO developed a detailed project timeline for the FY2014-FY2015 exhibit that included tasks related to the "Call for Artists," judging the art, exhibit preparations, and installing the exhibit on location. SELCO distributed an invitation to all area libraries seeking host sites for the biennial easel exhibit and selected 13 locations. SELCO staff worked with local staff to identify the most opportune time for hosting the exhibit. The final exhibit schedule includes 10 public libraries, two schools, and one art center (as requested by the public library).