Holyoke Public Library glass floor panels offered as catalyst to community art event

Each glass block weights 75 pounds to 80 pounds and is semitransparent, depending on wear.

The old glass floor in the since-renovated Holyoke Public Library. submitted photo  

HOLYOKE -- Glass floor panels from the 111-year-old Holyoke Public Library are the basis of a community art competition.

"The event was created as a means to take the glass blocks, create an event to engage the community with both art and the idea of reuse of an historical material.," local photographer Jeffrey Byrnes, contact person for the event, said Friday.

Glass blocks cut from the floor are available as a $14.5 million renovation of the library at 335 Maple St. nears completion. The library could reopen in September or October, Library Director Maria G. Pagan said. A temporary library is located at City Hall.

"The goal is to raise money for the capital campaign," Byrnes said.

The competition is open to artists and anyone else in the community who proposes an "imaginative re-use of the historic glass floor panel," Byrnes said.

Art works will be exhibited and sold and proceeds will be shared equally between the artist and library capital campaign, he said.

Criteria that the judges on the library's Glass Block Committee will use to determine which artists' proposals can proceed to fruition include relevance to the library's past and future, promotion of the library and literacy, reflection of Holyoke’s history, potential to raise awareness and funds for the library capital campaign and likelihood the proposal can actually be created, such as if it would be sturdy, safe or suitable for outdoor display.

At least five artists will be chosen, Byrnes said.

The deadline to submit proposals is Jan. 31.

Selection and notification of chosen artists will take place Feb. 11, with glass blocks available for pick up Feb. 11 to 15.

Each block weighs 75 pounds to 80 pounds, is an inch thick and measures 34.5 inches by 36 inches. The glass is semitransparent, each block showing varying degrees of wear. Each block has a rough side and a smooth side, and the edges are rough and can be sharp.

The deadline for artists to deliver finished pieces to to the determined exhibit location is April 1.

For information call (413) 575-4350, visit the library website or email jeffreyrbyrnes@gmail.com