Library Happenings: Miniature Book Display

One of our current rotating exhibits features miniature books. The books in these displays were either pulled from our special collections or loaned to us by private collectors. Some of these books are about nature, others are religious, and still others are picture books. The range of topics is vast. Some of the books are old while others are modern. Some are created in fanciful shapes. The one thing they have in common is their miniature size!

Notice the tiny excerpt of Cannery Row in an actual can.

In the background, a tiny book on a tiny desk and in the front, a small history of the Bible.

A tiny work of art.

A teeny, tiny book of animals you may find in the zoo.

 

Library Happenings: Legumes Part Two

The Leatherby Library hosted a botanical art workshop in conjunction with the exhibit “An Illuminating Look at Legumes.” The workshop was open to artists of all skill levels, so Lugene, Cori and I jumped at the chance to learn how to draw some plants!

The Botanical Artists Guild graciously provided all the supplies we would need for our drawings. We had a variety of pencils, plants, and magnifying glasses.

We dissected sunflowers to get a closer view of what we were drawing.

Cori hard at work.

Lugene’s intricate leaves.

It was a great way to spend a couple hours on a Friday afternoon, and it allowed us to look at plants in ways we never had before. We may not be ready for our own exhibition yet…but we had fun learning the process!

 

Library Happenings: Looking at Legumes

An Illuminating Look at Legumes

Here in the Leatherby Libraries, we are fortunate enough to host permanent as well as limited time exhibits. In our Henley Reading Room, we are currently hosting “An Illuminating Look at Legumes” an exhibit of botanical art by the Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California. This exhibit features art that showcases plants that provide us with all types of legumes, such as beans and peanuts.

Watercolor of Arroyo Lupine.

My personal favorite is the painting of a pinto bean.

This exhibit will run through the end of March.

Library Happenings: Feminism and Art

Here on the Chapman campus, we are lucky enough to be surrounded by art in many forms. As I have shown in previous posts, we have collections of art and memorabilia scattered throughout the library; we also have sculptures and statues and fountains throughout the campus. The Chapman University philosophy believes that art inspires us to be greater thinkers and students. The Guggenheim Art Gallery here on campus is an extension of that philosophy.

The Guggenheim provides a location right on campus for students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community to get up close and personal with featured art. Here in the library, we like to support the efforts. We currently have an exhibit “XX Redux” that is exploring the role of feminism in art and art in feminism. I created a display case with items from our collection that align with this theme.

If you ever have a chance to visit our campus, the Guggenheim Gallery should be a stop on your tour, and if you can’t visit us in person, please keep in mind that you can search and request more than just textbooks through our library catalog.

Have a great week, Brandman!