Jacque Liu – Public Art Consultant

Permanent Public Artwork: Cooper O’Neil. This Place & Exploration. 2018. Site: Free Library of Philadelphia – Lovett Branch, Philadelphia, PA. Project Budget: $19,100. Funded through Percent for Art.

Partners: Free Library of Philadelphia, Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation

* More Images Below Text

From 2017–2018, the Free Library of Philadelphia completed major capital renovations on five library sites through its Building Inspiration: 21st Century Libraries Initiative. Building Inspiration was made possible by several transformative gifts in a unique partnership between the public and private sectors, underscored by a historic $25 million gift from the William Penn Foundation—the largest private gift ever received by the Library at the time.

Each of the neighborhood libraries were transformed to be more attractive and welcoming, featuring dedicated space for different age groups and reading levels, places for informal gathering, as well as community meeting space, all while also ensuring full ADA accessibility. Each renovated library is designed to have spaces for unique public programming, in response to identified community needs. The libraries were equipped with new technology and internet access to aid school-age leaners, job searchers, and individuals seeking to access to health and social services.

Cooper O’Neil’s This Place & Exploration drew imagery from a yearlong community-engagement process in the neighborhood of Mount Airy, Philadelphia. During the meetings and activities, Mr. O’Neil found themes of curiosity and exploration to be of importance to the residents. His artwork reflects their value of education and nature against a backdrop of history, architecture, and art.

I served as the Percent for Art Project Manager on this project.

Selected Press

Rybak, Sue Ann. “Stained-glass murals installed in Lovett Library.” Chestnut Hill Local, August 17, 2017.

Fiske, Diane. “Streetscape: City art program that placed stained glass in Lovett Library turns 60.” Chestnut Hill Local, October 25, 2019.