Remember D.C.’s panda bears? Twenty-seven open book statues now dot the landscape throughout Fairfax County thanks to the Fairfax County Public Library, the Fairfax Library Foundation, Verizon and other generous donors. These statues, many located at library branches, have been painted by selected artists and express wide-ranging visions of life in Fairfax County, history, children’s books and other creative designs.

“Art and libraries are a good match; libraries and the statues are designed to encourage reflection and cultural literacy. We hope the statues will delight our customers and remind them what adventures can be had in a book,” said Library Director Edwin S. Clay III.

The “Art in the Pages” project is a first-time public art sculpture initiative taking place throughout Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax. The project consists of large-scale (four feet tall) open book statues that have been transformed into vibrant works of art by local artists. These individually decorated sculptures are on display at every Fairfax County Public Library branch and other selected public locations and businesses. This unique public art initiative endeavors to increase the awareness of public art, spotlight the delights of literature and reading, showcase the creativity, originality and wit of local artists and build community fellowship through shared enjoyment of public art sculptures that transcend age, education and ethnicity.

“We are excited about displaying these beautiful and creative works of art to the entire community and see it as an opportunity to celebrate the joys of art and reading that transcends all ages and all cultures,” said Bobbi Longworth, Executive Director of the Fairfax Library Foundation.

Art in the Pages is a collaboration of the Fairfax County Public Library, Fairfax Library Foundation, and Signature Sponsor Verizon. Many of the large sculptures will stay in their current locations indefinitely, but a few may be auctioned off with mini statues at a reception hosted by Gannett on September 20, 2008.  Proceeds will benefit the Fairfax County Public Library programs and services through the foundation.

For a list of the locations and artists visit www.FairfaxLibraryFoundation.org.

The following sponsors helped make the Art in the Pages project possible:

ART IN THE PAGES SPONSORS

Signature Sponsor
Verizon

$10,000 Publisher Level
Anonymous (in honor of Barbara Fried)
The Arts Council of Fairfax County
Cox Communications
ExxonMobil
Initiative for Public Art – Reston
Interstate Worldwide Relocation
Alan & Sally Merten
Southland Concrete

$5,000 Editor Level:
Anonymous (2)
Anonymous (in honor of the George Mason Friends)
Dominion
Betty W. Downard Estate
Friends of the (future) Burke Centre Library
Friends of the City of Fairfax Regional Library
Friends of the Kings Park Library
Friends of the Oakton Library
Friends of the Patrick Henry Library
Friends of the Pohick Regional Library
Friends of the Sherwood Regional Library
Gannett
Initiative for Public Art – Reston (3)
Joan Kane / Investment Planning Solutions, LLC
John Mason
PSA Dewberry
Paul and Susan Thorniley
Worldgate Centre

$2,500 Author Level:
Provident Bank

$1,000 Book Club Level:
Debra & Edwin S. Clay, III
Sidney O. Dewberry
Friends of Fairfax, Inc.
Roberta A. Longworth
J. D. Morrissette
Kent & Mary Myers
Carole Scanlon
WEST*GROUP