Dickinson College’s Waidner-Spahr Library is a wonderful study space and resource. It has books of all shapes and sizes, periodicals, the Biblio Cafe, and great technological resources—however, not many notice its incredible art. Works of art are scattered throughout the library’s three floors. While those of you who are Dickinson students are preparing for finals, you can take a walk and find these ten great works of art; or, if you live in Carlisle, the library has public hours!
The works are selected and ranked by my personal preference, but please comment and tell me what you like the best!
10.) Untitled- Meghan Lantzy, Oil on canvas
Lantzy was a Weiss Prize Recipient and graduate of 2001.
9.) Roses are Red- Adeen Solaiman, Photograph
This work of art was done by another Dickinson graduate, the class of 2014!
8.) Benjamin Rush- Thomas Sully, Oil on canvas
This painting hangs in the archives section and dates back to 1813. It was acquired in 2009.
7.) Untitled- Loul Samater, Oil on canvas
Another Weiss Prize Recipient, Samater graduated in 1999 from Dickinson College. This painting can be found on the first floor by the writing center.
6.) The Great Wall- Hesung Chun Koli, brush and ink on Chinese gasen paper
Koli graduated from Dickinson College in 1951. This beautiful brush and ink work of the great wall can be found in the East Asian Studies room among several other works by Koli.
5.) Portrait of Margaret Anderson- Pavel Tchelitchew, Pastel on paper
Tchelitchew’s pastel portraits are a recent addition to the basement level of the library. Their dark lighting and morose subjects intrigued me.
4.) Portrait of Allen Tanner- Pavel Tchelitchew, Pastel on paper
Tchelitchew’s pastel portrait of Allen Tanner features big, black eyes and an ambiguous expression.
3.) Greenland Ice Sheet, Greenland, 14 July 2008- James Balog, Photograph
The caption reads: “Trapped eons ago in snowstorms, bubbles of fossil air float to the surface of the melt water. There, they are temporarily trapped in the ice by a midnight freeze. By mid-morning of the following day, the sun’s warmth melted the bubbles and released the ancient air back into our modern atmosphere.”
These bubbles, possibly 15,000 years old, are mesmerizingly beautiful. This photograph is one of Balog’s many displayed on the first floor.
2.) Oval Bird- Max Papart, Lithograph with embossing
This collage by the French and American Papert, caught my attention. I really enjoy the variety of color and texture. “Oval Bird” can be found by the writing center along with other lithographs by Papart.
1.) April Romance- Max Papart, Aquatint and carborundum etching and collage
Papart, the same artist that created the above “Oval Bird” created this enormous piece. The detail below shows the texture of the work and the many human-like figures suspended in blackness.
April Romance, detail
