VILLAGE OF MINOA – The Minoa Library debuted a small-scale art exhibit in mid-January, its premiere piece is a collage crafted by village resident Lori Kingston.
Fashioned out of a range of photographs the artist had in her files—from one of a pet goldfish to snapshots of various sunsets—the creation called “Beauty In Spite Of…” has been made to show a silver lining of sorts.
“There’s a baseball that’s broken a window in the picture, the wallpaper is kind of dingy, and even the window frame is kind of wonky,” Kingston said. “In spite of all that, someone is trying to make their space beautiful by putting a bouquet of flowers together.”
Accompanying Kingston’s collage is an interactive “I Spy”-like book that lists out the miniature images hidden in the details. With its substance beyond what someone sees at first glance, and because the building only has enough wall space to devote to one piece of artwork at a time, the library’s Programming Director Emily Wormuth said the exhibit both requires and invites greater attention.
“It’s a very interesting piece and a great one to spotlight,” said Library Director Laura Ravera. “You see the picture from far away and that’s one thing, but when you get closer, it’s something else.”
Finished in 2013, “Beauty In Spite Of…” was awarded an honorable mention in the mixed media section of the New York State Fair’s art competition that same year.
Despite this, Kingston said she had never showcased her art anywhere other than the fairgrounds or online sites before now.
Referring to her passion as mind-clearing in troubling times, she added that she’s “excited” to be featured for the first art showcase put on in recent memory by the library she most often frequents.
Kingston said she hopes to pave the way for her daughter studying art at Alfred University while inspiring others to propose their work to the Minoa Library.
Wormuth feels the same, stating that she and her fellow staff members would be “delighted” to consider future submissions, particularly ones that can be hung on the wall.
Set to run until sometime in March, the current Tiny Art Show can be found past the entrance of the library at 242 N. Main St.
