San Rafael, CA – After reviewing more than 400 creative works, 30 Marin County artists have been selected to participate in a new program that will allow anyone 16 years or older with a card from any library in Marin County to check out art just like any other library material.
On the Wall gets going October 26 with a Civic Center exhibition by the chosen artists.A committee of the Marin Cultural Association Board made the choices for the inaugural art lending collection called On the Wall, a program offered by the Marin County Free Library (MCFL) and the Department of Cultural Services. An exhibit of works by participating On the Wall artists will open on October 26 in galleries on the first floor and third floor of the Marin County Civic Center (3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael).
The artists are (listed alphabetically by last name):
- Harvey Abernathey of Novato
- Maalak Atkins of Marin City
- Richard Blair of Inverness
- Cathy Bowman of San Anselmo
- Molly Brown of Bolinas
- Rick Budde of Novato
- Miranda Chen of Greenbrae
- Steve Disenhof of Mill Valley
- Bob Hemstock of Mill Valley
- Jennifer Isaac of Tiburon
- Toni Littlejohn of Point Reyes Station
- Barbara McLain of Nicasio
- Susan McMudie of Novato
- Victoria Mimiaga of Mill Valley
- Nancy Nichols of San Anselmo
- Anne Pelletier of Fairfax
- Mary Pieper-Warren of Forest Knolls
- Carlos Porrata of Inverness
- Meg Reilly of Novato
- Noel Ryan of Novato
- Wendy Schwartz of Point Reyes Station
- Tom Soltesz of Point Reyes Station
- Stephanie Thwaites of Novato
- Amanda Tomlin of Novato
- Tim Walker of Larkspur
- Marnie Walters of Mill Valley
- Ayumi Kie Weissbuch of San Anselmo
- Kathryn Whitten of Point Reyes Station
- Thomas Wood of Nicasio
- Jane Zich of Fairfax
In the program’s initial phase, art lending will begin in early 2024 in the South Novato, Point Reyes Station, Inverness, Corte Madera, and Marin City libraries. There are plans to expand the program to all 10 MCFL branches.
“We think it’s really exciting that art will be available to borrow with a library card, just like a book or a magazine,” said Raemona Little Taylor, MCFL Assistant Director for Public Services. “This is a way for us to support a diverse group of local artists and enhance the library’s collections. It’s also a way to give library cards new power, expand access to art for Marin residents, and provide direct support for local artists by purchasing and exhibiting their work.”
The On the Wall collection is generously supported by the Marin County Library Foundation, Tomales Bay Library Association, Friends of the Marin City Library, and Friends of the Novato Libraries.