The Pauline Robinson Branch Library has received a grant from the Urban Arts Project! Their art piece has been installed inside the building, and used deleted books as a sculptural medium for three-dimensional art. The teen artists dreamed big about creative ways to use colorful books to liven up the library. The books that were used are worn-out, their information is outdated, they're torn or marked inside – but they're still beautiful and now they'll be inspiring in a new way.

Special thanks to Susan Meyer from Think 360 Arts who helped with the project.

Soon we will begin making some small repairs to the sculpture and building a fence to protect it from overzealous admirers. Please visit Pauline Robinson when the repairs are finished and check out the art! In the meantime, enjoy the photos, teen comments and community reactions below!

Photos from the Project:

Can't see the art? Check it out on our Flickr page!

What do the youth involved in the project think? Here is what some of the teens had to say during a brainstorming session:

	Iris: She liked how the artist let them be free. She likes how the artist is also very creative and wacky. She likes the privacy between just the kids and the artist. She also said that she likes how everybody’s not just in one room all the time, how the artist lets them go out and breathe.
	Erika: I honestly like the way that the artist lets the kids do whatever they want and lets them be free with their ideas. The kids are really creative and they show interest in everything and they just let every idea come out and they share what they are thinking. Sometimes though I think that the kids are not respecting the artist, I feel that they don’t listen sometimes and she has to speak louder for them to quiet down. Even though some are a little disrespectful I think they can change and the project will be a success.
	Angelica: She liked the way that they got to be creative and free. She also liked how the artist let them come up with their own ideas. She had fun taking pictures with the photographer. She liked meeting new people. As well as the freedom of having no adults.
	Audjanee’a: She thought that the meeting was fun. She also liked taking pictures with the photographer. She liked the way they got to be creative and how they got to come up with whatever they wanted. Also that there were no adults with them. She liked sharing her ideas with the artist and the rest of the kids.

What does the community think? Here are some comments from response cards collected at Pauline Robinson:

"It gave me pleasure, to think that the kids had a lot to do with it and that it would be there for a long time, that is nice. I think work like this will impact the kids a great deal, you should keep programs like this. Thanks."

"I like the butterflies symbolism. I do think that expressions or ideas are like butterflies sometimes. They could be beautiful or ugly, they could be fragile or tough, they could fly away or simple turn into something wonderful like a caterpillar to butterfly."

"It’s surprising — good project for kids to develop their imagination. Very creative and interesting. Liked the butterflies."

"Good way for children to use their imagination. Good way to use unwanted books in an art project that’s going to last a long time."

"These kids are amazing. It made me think about doing stuff with my kids at school."

"The cake was god."

"I am impressed. I like that the butterflies are ideas that come from reading books."

"I loved it. I think it should be named 'Word World.'"

"This project inspired me and I thought everyone did an awesome job! What a great way to use discarded materials by turning them into something so beautiful. What an awesome way to have people feel a part of their community library."

"This was a great opportunity to draw kid visitors in a more engaged manner—loved the unique integration of individuals’ families and ideas (the small scenes with the toy figures)."

"This project and unveiling were inspirational! How wonderful to see so many young people proud of their work!"

"I think the role public libraries play in our community needs to be considered when making financial decisions. It’s awesome to see how kids feel closer to culture."

"It’s an awesome project, something to share for life with others, great job! Something I would like to see up there is a project name, and pictures and signatures of all participants."

"I love it. It inspired me to bring my kids to the library."

"This project made me stop and think. It can be interpreted in many ways. An interesting and different concept!"

"Great idea! Keep going in the same way."

"The cake was good and neat."

"Kudos. Brilliant! Fantabulous! Thank you for the wonder. What a mission. So many things to observe."

"It was boring."

"Fun, colorful."

"It’s ugly!!!!"

The Denver Urban Arts Fund is an outgrowth of the Graffiti Task Force recommendations. The recommendations support the role of prevention as an important component – along with abatement and enforcement – of reducing graffiti vandalism in Denver. Learn more about it at denvergov.org/doca.

Athmar also received an Urban Arts Grant. Check out the Athmar Graffiti project!