Gail Rosenbloom Kaplan: Literacy & Learning Mosaic at Detroit Public Library
The Detroit Public Library Friends Foundation recently commissioned artists Gail Rosenbloom Kaplan (BFA 1976) and Dani Katsir to create a ten-panel mosaic installation in celebration of the Library’s 150th anniversary. The project, Lighting Up Literacy & Learning, is designed to inspire youth in the city of Detroit to read and to enhance and update the beauty of the Children’s library reading room.
The first panel, “Read”, was executed by the artists with the help and participation of all library staff and personnel. The following four panels involved working with students at four Detroit Schools: Bagley, Burton, University Prep Academy, and Boggs. Students and teachers submitted designs and assisted the artists in cutting colorful glass strips into a variety of shaped tiles, which were individually glued to complete the artworks. Panels 6 – 10 are planned for the coming year as funding is secured.
A dedication ceremony for the Lighting Up Literacy and Learning mosaic panels 1 – 5 is planned for the students, schools and community at 10:30 am on Friday, April 15th at the Children’s Library Reading Room in the Detroit Public Library’s main branch, 5201 Woodward Ave., Detroit.