Written by Gabriella Radujko, Director, Bronxville Public Library
Mar. 4, 2015: The Bronxville Public Library is one of two libraries selected to present
F A C E S of the Westchester Libraries, a project celebrating Westchester librarians through portraits of the librarians.
The public is invited to attend the opening reception on Sunday, March 8, between 2:00 and 4:00 pm in the Little Gallery on the lower level of the Bronxville Public Library.
By way of background, beginning in January of 2014, two to eight Reilly League artists, working at the Reilly League studio in White Plains, captured the images of Westchester Library System public librarians in a variety of media, including pencil, charcoal, acrylic, and oil.
According to Michelle Burton, the show organizer and one of the participating artists, "It is infinitely complex and exciting to work with real people who don't make a living posing for an artist." Sittings were three hours long, with multiple breaks, and most models returned to the studio twice.
The F A C E S project reflects an appreciation The Reilly League of Artists has for public librarians. In promotional information encouraging library staff members to pose, the artists say that libraries are a "source of nourishment for the artist"; that libraries "provide a tranquil atmosphere for quiet reflection and research, a necessity in today's frenetic world"; and, last, that "libraries also provide a place where artists show their work."
During the planning process, Ms. Burton shared an illuminating quote from Miles Davis to describe the spirit of the show: "A collective portrait is better than a self-portrait." Yet another good reason to come and see the show!
F A C E S of the Westchester Libraries will move to the Hendrick Hudson Free Library in Montrose for the month of August 2015.
For additional information, please contact Gabriella Radujko, director of the Bronxville Public Library, at 914-337-9462.
Pictured here: Portrait of Linda by artist Pam Tucker.
Photo courtesy Pam Tucker and Gabriella Radujko
Bronxville is a quaint village (one square mile) located just 16 miles north of midtown Manhattan (roughly 30 minutes on the train) and has a population of approximately 6,500. It is known as a premier community with an excellent public school (K-12) and easy access to Manhattan. Bronxville offers many amenities including an attractive business district, a hospital (Lawrence Hospital), public paddle and tennis courts, fine dining at local restaurants, two private country clubs and a community library.
While the earliest settlers of Bronxville date back to the first half of the 18th century, the history of the modern suburb of Bronxville began in 1890 when William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a farm and commissioned the architect, William A. Bates, to design a planned community of houses for well-known artists and professionals that became a thriving art colony. This community, now called Lawrence Park, is listed on the National register of Historic Places and many of the homes still have artists’ studios. A neighborhood association within Lawrence Park called “The Hilltop Association” keeps this heritage alive with art shows and other events for neighbors.
Bronxville offers many charming neighborhoods as well as a variety of living options for residents including single family homes, town houses, cooperatives and condominiums. One of the chief benefits of living in “the village” is that your children can attend the Bronxville School.
The Bronxville postal zone (10708, known as “Bronxville PO”) includes the village of Bronxville as well as the Chester Heights section of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe and the Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa and Longvale sections of Yonkers. Many of these areas have their own distinct character. For instance, the Armour Villa section has many historic homes and even has its own newsletter called “The Villa Voice” which reports on neighborhood news.
Village of Bronxville Administrative Offices
337-6500
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Police Department
337-0500
Open 24 hours
Bronxville Parking Violations
337-2024
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Fire Deparment
793-6400