By Jaclyn Hicken
Puss in Boots, timeless in children''s imaginations, is immortalized in the jeweled tones of stained glass at the Orem City Library. The cat''s antics, which won a woman''s heart and a king''s ransom in the story, become almost real in the colorful reflection.
Puss and an eclectic group of characters from fairy tales, a Shakespearean tragedy and Lewis Carroll''s Alice in Wonderland comprise the wall-sized display of stained glass, the most prominent piece in a well-kept secret hailed as 'one of the best little art collections in the state of Utah.'
The library''s art collection, which features pieces of art from various artists around the country, was officially started when the Orem Visual Arts Commission was created by then-mayor Winston Crawford.
'When the library was built in the ''70s, the Cultural Arts Advisory Committee came to the conclusion we needed to do more with the treasures of art,' Library Director Louise Wallace said. 'We now have about 190 pieces ... in the collection.'
Much of the art displayed throughout the library has been donated by the artists themselves. Artists'' friends and loved ones, as well as the Orem Women''s Club, have also contributed artwork. The first piece donated to the art collection, titled 'Cascade from Orem,' was painted by Dale Fletcher. It now hangs on the main floor of the library, near the non-fiction books.
The centerpiece of the art collection, the 36-foot stained glass window, is found on the west side of the library. Artists Ralph Barksdale and Tom Holdman created the window, which combines scenes and characters from a myriad of books and plays. Alice in Wonderland, Macbeth, Tarzan, Little Red Riding Hood, Puss in Boots, the Frog Prince, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White mingle together in the large window, which also includes elements from a local fable, the Legend of Timpanogos. Holdman''s other work has been featured in windows created for the Sao Paulo, Palmyra, Nauvoo and Winter Quarters temples.
'Most artists whose work is featured are Utah artists,' Wallace said. 'Many have gone on to be successful, such as James Christensen. One artist who is very successful now - this was the first piece she ever sold. It''s an interesting project.'
Other notable pieces of art can be found throughout the library. The Storytelling Wing houses a giant marionette stage created by Jon Fondell, which was later donated to the library. Another piece in the library is titled 'The Unexpected Party' and was painted by Tim and Greg Hildebrandt, the artists behind the 1967 and 1977 Star Wars movie posters.
In order to keep track of the artwork, a booklet was created detailing each artist and the artwork located in the library. These booklets were compiled, printed and bound. Although the booklets are not available to be checked out, patrons can pick them up at various reference desks throughout the library and take a self-guided walking tour, learning about the artwork they pass. Although some pieces are currently being stored, many others still remain throughout the library.
'It''s a unique collection,' Wallace said. 'And the collection is still growing. We receive donations each year, pieces that represent local artists. We''re happy to receive them.'