Central Library Artwell Unveiling & Reception

It's not about the destination; it's about the journey! Take a first peek at the Central Library's stairwell as it is transformed into an artwell, bedecked with beautiful paintings and designs to make each step you take as exciting as the floor it takes you to. 

Meet the artists behind the designs at this reception that celebrates their work and the wonderful world of reading. Drinks and light refreshments will be served. 

Artists

Samar Ahmed- Reading to New Heights: Having been raised in a city whose name translates to “yellow,” I have always loved working with bright colors. Primarily working digitally or with acrylics, I explore the themes of identity, growing up, and social issues through my work. Whether it’s canvas, a shoebox lid, or a cereal box, I will paint on anything I can get my hands on. I particularly enjoy making colorful portraits and collages. When I'm not making art, I can be found studying in a quiet corner of the library for my biology degree. Through my painting "Reading to New Heights," I hope to illustrate how books uplift young minds. By introducing children to great books, we can teach them how to use their imaginations. As the child in the painting reads more and more books, they rise higher and higher into a whimsical, imaginative world. Imagination leads to a future filled with innovation and discovery. Personally, reading works by authors of similar backgrounds and cultures to mine has helped me feel seen. When people see themselves in literature, they feel empowered to rise above all the negativity and truly explore their identities. Overall, through this piece, I want to show that when an individual loves reading, the sky is the limit.

Sami Cave: My artist journey began in earnest in 2020 when I reconnected to a heart passion buried for many years. As a mostly self-taught artist, I strive to not only continuously improve as an artist, but also impart the healing and restorative power of a creative practice, particularly painting, to others. When I paint, time seems to stand still. I enter a flow state, where colors and shapes come alive, allowing me to express myself in ways words simply can't capture. My preferred mediums are watercolors and acrylic/mixed media. Each piece I create is deeply rooted in my personal experiences which adds an authentic touch and resonates with viewers on a deeper level. My artistic style can be described as whimsical, peaceful, and colorful. I draw inspiration from the natural world, animals, and the profound connection between nature and spirituality. Animals, flowers, and quirky whimsical women often find their way onto my canvas, brought to life through my unique style. While I can't pinpoint a single artist as my main influence, I draw inspiration from a wide range of creators. Their diverse styles and perspectives continuously fuel my artistic growth and experimentation. In addition to my work as an artist I continue my career as healthcare executive and leader.

Aliya Hernandez- Collaborative Minds: When gaining a new piece of information, we can’t help but share it with our peers. When great minds come together, they can create dynamic and creative ideas with these newly found pieces of knowledge. For this piece I hope to capture this relation, as books are still a very important source of gaining knowledge, and so much so when a community comes together to share what they have just learned. When it comes to depicting this, the two peers' ideas are slowly but surely merging together to a simultaneous clash of colors!

Jerry Lynn: As an artist, I was always fascinated by the idea of leaving a legacy and making my mark in the world. From a young age, I had a desire to create and share my creativity with others. This passion has stayed with me throughout the years, and I continue to use my artistic talents to produce paintings that are full of life and color. My preferred mediums are acrylics, which I use to create vibrant and captivating pieces of art. I enjoy painting people of color, and my family, particularly my children, serve as my inspiration. My art is intended to remind them of their potential for greatness and inspire them to achieve their dreams. My ultimate goal is for my audience to not only appreciate the beauty of my art but also feel uplifted and inspired by it.

Sophia Martinez: Books have always mocked me. Their words shifting and twisting puzzling my vision everytime I read them. It was always a fight trying to see through the end. Books have humiliated, shamed, beated, and left me defeated. I have never felt weaker in my life when I opened a book. Books may be my biggest enemy, however, they have also given me the chance to grow. They made me feel human, and with humanity comes happiness, sadness, anger, fear, love, and everything around it. I’ve come to appreciate books in my life, especially their covers. The story itself is a main factor of it, yet the colors and designs tell the personality of what the book is going to be about. I wanted to set that example in my work visually on a broader scope of literature as a whole, because when it comes to graphic design, you have to judge the book by it’s cover.

Alyssa Morales: As an artist who seeks to explore the vast spectrum of artistic expression, I immerse myself in an abundance of creative disciplines. Sculpting, painting, drawing, digital art, sewing, jewelry-making, and more recently, tattooing, are the diverse tools I implement to reveal my artistic visions. Each medium has its own unique journey, and I delve deep into its possibilities, textures, and techniques. Through forms of sculpture, I breathe life into lifeless material, shaping it with my hands and saturating it with emotion and vision. Painting and drawing allow me to capture fleeting moments, immortalizing them on canvas or paper, while digital art expands my horizons, enabling me to merge traditional aesthetics with technological innovation. The delicate craft of sewing grants me the ability to interlace beauty and functionality, turning fabrics into wearable art. Art allows me to etch indelible stories onto any surface, forging visual stories and creating permanent connections with individuals who entrust me with their personal narratives. As I embrace these diverse artistic practices, I am constantly inspired by the world around me, fueling my creative spirit and inviting viewers to experience the infinite possibilities of creation.

Rebecca Ramirez- Reading is Out There: Stepping into a library, with all its pages new and unknown to me, is a little like jumping from hyperspace into a foreign galaxy. I have always loved the gentle adventure of discovery. In a library, I am afforded passage into worlds vast and innumerable-through books-at the pace of my choosing. With this piece, I wanted to pay homage to Mrs. May Dickson Exall (1859-1936), without whom the Dallas public library as we know it wouldn’t exist, and to show the excitement that reading can inspire in all people. When we read, we co-pilot ourselves ‘out-of-this-world’; here in Dallas, the destinations are endless.

Liz Trosper- Dandelion and Rose: I am a new media painter immersing myself in the inherent speed and shareability of digital paintings juxtaposed with the physical uniqueness and slowness of material practices. In short, I make paradoxically painterly images.