The Westport Library today announced that its popular “River of Names” tile display will not be returned to its transformed library building but instead will become available digitally.
The “River of Names” mural was created in 1997-98 by Redding artist Marion Grebow. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
The announcement brought cries of a broken promise from many who said they were among original donors to the 26-foot long, 6-foot high work created by Redding artist Marion Grebow in 1997-98.
“‘Stunned’ is not really adequate to describe my reaction to this decision—and I say this as a longtime supporter of the library,” wrote Fred Cantor on the local blog 06880.
“ I have a hard time accepting that there wasn’t some space in the library that could be found for this wonderful work that was such a perfect blend of local art and local history.”
“PROMISES BROKEN,” chimed in Chip Stephens.
The wall choreographs the town’s history and comprises 1,162 separate tiles for which donors to the library’s previous renovation paid between $100 to $2,500 each depending upon tile size and degree of artwork.
“The transformed ‘River of Names’ will now provide viewers with a multifaceted content experience enabled by an interactive website linking the historic depictions in the mural to additional information about Westport’s rich history,” an announcement said.
“The 43-inch touch-screen digital mural will be on view and accessible to all on the upper level of the Library.”
The mural has 1,162 tiles for which donors paid $100 to $2,500 each. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
In a WestportNow article on Aug. 20, 2017, the mural’s artist, her attorney, and a former library trustee expressed concern the mural would not be returned to the transformed library building.
However, Bill Harmer, library executive director, insisted it would be back.
“We want to make sure that its protected to show future generations what their history looks like, and where they came from,” Harmer said. “And I’m sure donors in our community will appreciate that. We’ve got time to do this, but it’s coming back.”
John F. Suggs cited the WestportNow article and wrote: “While this ‘digital’ display of the panels is all well and good it is not what was promised to the artist or the community.
“For Shame Westport Library – you lied!”
Iain Bruce, president of the Westport Library Board of Trustees, said the library was at “an exciting time in our history.”
He added: “While we are updating and improving our physical space, we are also reassessing ways in which we can make our collections and materials more accessible and engaging for all of our patrons.
“Taking this opportunity to present the ‘River of Names’ in this way addresses the challenge we faced with finding an appropriate location for the wall itself in the renovated Library.
This new digital mural also offers maximum accessibility, interactivity, and continuity for our community today and for generations to come.”
