April 4, 2023 By Sara Mason Ader
If you’ve ever dreamed of owning an original work of art but don’t have the money or haven’t been able to make the commitment to a specific piece, the Hingham Public Library provides you with the perfect solution.
Did you know that HPL lends out individual works from a sizeable collection of art for periods of six weeks or even longer? Borrowing artwork is just one of the many privileges HPL extends to cardholders beyond the books.
“The Hingham Public Library’s book-lending services are robust and highly regarded, but we also do so much more,” says HPL Director Linda Harper Stone, mentioning the classes, concerts and other events that the library sponsors. “I want people to know they can borrow art here as well.”
The library’s art that can be loaned out is stored on the second floor near the movies, audiobooks and music. The art collection has amassed over the years and includes works in different media, including oil paintings, stained glass, pastels and framed posters. Gifts from artists and collectors have been the primary sources for art donations, Harper Stone says.
In addition to the collection of art that cardholders can borrow, the library features two galleries where artists can show and sell their work. Each of these exhibitions last about four weeks at a time, and if you’ve ever entered the library after dark, you may have noticed the lights focused on the art in these galleries located near the front entrance.
“When people walk in the front door, unless they’re on a mission, they are really drawn in by the art,” Harper Stone says. “When we did our first big survey about the library in 2016, we didn’t specifically ask about the art but we were surprised by how many people wrote in positive comments about the galleries.”
As you walk inside through the library’s front door, to the right is the Clemens Gallery, which showcases local and amateur artists who can apply through the library’s website to show and sell their work. In January, this space is usually reserved for Hingham High School artists.
The Dolphin Gallery, which is to the left as you walk in the main entrance, offers a variety of more established artists the opportunity to display and market their work. Together, the library’s galleries aim to exhibit a range of views, styles and artistic experiences.
Currently, Christine Bodnar’s “In the Dunes” exhibit is on display in the Clemens Gallery and Sally Dean’s “Reimaginings” is in the Dolphin Gallery until mid- April. Next month’s exhibit in the Dolphin Gallery will feature the artwork of North River Arts Society artist Nancy Howell.
HPL’s Children’s and Young Adult Department houses a third gallery wall, a glass display case for sculptures and other 3D items, and multiple sections of corkboards, which showcase art created in the local schools and through other children’s programming and art classes around town. Although none of the children’s art is for sale, any art sales from the Clemens and Dolphin exhibitions generate a commission for the library’s General Fund, which is used to purchase books and other library materials and to fund library programs.
While HPL is a town resource with an operating budget funded largely by the Town of Hingham, the library’s Board of Trustees covers about 80% of the library’s books, materials and programming expenses. Last year, that amounted to about $230,000. The HPL Trustees raise the money to cover their portion of the library’s annual expenses through the art sales commissions, an Annual Appeal, the Used Bookstore, and special events like the Beyond the Books Fundraiser coming up on April 28 from 6 pm to 9 pm. Everyone is invited. Click here for more information about how to buy tickets or participate in sponsorship opportunities.
