In celebration of the Lewisburg Literary Festival, an art installation has been created in Stratton Alley in downtown Lewisburg.
Artist Mary Baldwin was one of the contributors to the outdoor painting that features several classic works of literature that have been banned throughout the United States.
“When the literary festival was started over 10 years ago by (my husband) Josh Baldwin and Aaron Maxwell, there were so many art installations throughout town, and it was my favorite part of the festival. So, when I asked my husband if there could be more, he said feel free to do one,” Baldwin says.
Artwork was done by primarily by Baldwin and Susan Syner, who are two of the six owners of the Briergarten bar on Stratton Alley.
The installation was completed with help from other business owners and children who just wanted to pick up a paint brush and be a part of the art, Baldwin says.
The painting is located on the outside of a building that is under construction.
“The idea came while Susan was watering the plants outside at the Briergarten, and we were staring at the construction site next-door,” says Baldwin. “We were fantasizing about what amazing building Stratton Alley would fashion next and we thought, ‘wouldn’t it be cool if we painted that ugly plywood covering a big hole until they get started on construction?'”
“Susan and I love art for the sake of art and we, along with Meredith German, (another co-owner of the Briergarten and co-owner of Lewisburg Surf Shop next door) were the painters of the art inside Briergarten,” Baldwin says.
Baldwin said that once they decided to do the installation, they registered for a temporary sign permit from the city and got to work.
“We’re not professionals, and it’s not perfect – and we definitely took some artistic liberty, but we we’re blown away by the number of people stopping, calling, photographing, taking selfies, telling us which books they read and loved or hated,” she says. “Some people just wanted to pick up a brush and just be a part of it in some way. They were all interacting with the art.”
“Even though it’s temporary, and plywood might be the worst canvas known to man, we managed to make art out of an otherwise eyesore. Now you can’t even tell the building isn’t finished,” says Baldwin. “The response has been amazing.
“I would love to stress how amazing the response was and how Lewisburg is first and foremost an arts town and that this is super on brand for that.”
The Lewisburg Literary Festival runs in downtown Lewisburg on Aug. 5 and 6. Featured speakers are Garry Trudeau, Jennifer Pharr Davis and Connor Knighton.
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| A new art installation in Stratton Alley in downtown Lewisburg celebrates the Lewisburg Literary Festival. |
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| Kids and teens check out the art installation that features banned books. |
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| A young helper gets in on the art-making action. |
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| Susan Syner paints a rendition of the spine of “The Color Purple.” |
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| People have been stopping off at the installation to get their photos taken. |
