In celebration of the Morse Institute Library’s 150th anniversary, the Town of Natick and the Morse Institute Library commissioned artists to design, construct, and install three original, temporary Outdoor Reading Rooms in public green spaces across the community. Outdoor Reading Rooms are open-air "rooms" where anyone may sit and read!
As temporary art installations, the Outdoor Reading Rooms offer sculptural seating across the community from June to August 2023. The Morse Institute Library will also offer pop-up programming at each location.
This opportunity is funded in partnership with the New England Foundation for the Arts and Cognex Corporation.
It's a book. A BIG GREEN BOOK! Books are fun. Books help us understand the world. Books are full of ideas, discovery, happiness, and wisdom. I spy smaller books too. What do they say? Do these words give power? Do these words remind you of a book you have read?
The simple normalcy of an object like a book that's created in larger-than-life size is an oddity to our sense of reality and helps spark our imaginations aiming us towards self-discovery to be found within a library. The turf adds to its playful nature, but also provides a comfortable space for readers to sit or lie on and enjoy a book on their own, and the green symbolizes the open green space.
Community members became part of the process by submitting statements, quotes, and messages that are painted on the books, acting as titles that will teach, inspire, resonate, and empower the viewers to find their own voices.
About the Artists:
Deborah Tuck Wirtz is a working mother dedicated to her career, family, volunteerism, and collaborating on community art for all to experience and enjoy. Her public art murals can be viewed at Bennett-Hemenway Elementary School. Debbie endeavors to create art for everyone to experience and enjoy.
