The new Delaware Library is the focus for graduate student, Betsy Heimlich’s master’s project.  

Betsy is in her final year at The Ohio State University, in the art education department and has chosen the children’s reading area of the new Orange branch of the Delaware Library to complete her master’s project. 

“The room needed visual stimulus,” said Mrs. Heimlich, “and I wanted to create a mural that would stimulate the imagination of the children.”

Her inspiration came from the work of Kara Walker who is internationally known for creating room size silhouettes and also the work of Sandy Skoglund whose creative spaces transport the viewer into an imaginary place.  

The mural fills two walls in the library and includes a large tree with children flying kites and balloons.  Her idea was to create the illusion of being in a meadow on a beautiful, carefree afternoon.  

When asked about the theme Heimlich stated: “The silhouettes completely transform the room into a visual narrative to inspire the idea of exploration and play.  I purposely chose the colors black, white and red because these colors attract babies and young children.”

Heimlich has proposed a children’s library art project of kite making which would add hanging kites from the ceiling in the room. Further, to make the work interactive, simply adding a light to cast shadows of the people viewing the work would also add their own shadows on the wall thus placing them into the scene.  

Heimlich states, “Bringing the community together strengthens society and by donating my effort the entire community benefits.  As a future art educator it is in the best interest of our children to be active in community involvement.  I choose to lead by example.”

The mural work began Sunday, September 11 and was completed on September 13.  Heimlich enlisted the help of artist Erin Betsko, also in the art education program, to aide in the final production.  Heimlich added, “Erin is a talented free hand artist and our styles complement each other.”  

Heimlich completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts, with distinction from The Ohio State University in 2009 and will receive her Masters in Art Education in the spring of 2012.  Due to changes in Art Education department at Ohio State she is the last of post degree students accepted into the program.