By Meredith Stanton Vaselaar
Adrian Branch Librarian
A year ago, the Adrian Branch Library had its grand re-opening. The space was completely remade and what a welcome change it was! Future plans for the library included adding special features to the library space as well as to the services it provides.
A library is an ever-changing entity. As times change, the way we process information, carry on our daily business, seek answers, spark imagination, learn and grow changes, too. We never planned to sit back and look at the library and say, “it’s done!” A library is never “done” – changes and improvements are always a part of its ongoing story.
And changes and improvements can be pretty amazing!
Last week, world-renowned artist, David Newbatt, from Aberdeen, Scotland, paid a visit to the Adrian Branch Library – a “working” visit, that is. With his array of acrylic paints, and an imagination as immense as the Scottish countryside, Mr. Newbatt got to work transforming a very special area of the library: the story time/castle area Last year, Nobles County Library Director Clint Wolthuizen introduced the possibility of adding original art to the library as part of the ongoing additions. When Director Wolthuizen suggested the idea of having Mr. Newbatt create a mural on our walls, I was on board immediately. I was familiar with Mr. Newbatt’s work as I had seen one of his murals at the Slayton Public Library back in 2016, and knew we would be very fortunate if he could lend his artistic talent to our space. Director Wolthuizen contacted Mr. Newbatt and made all of the arrangements for the mural to happen.
On Thursday, July 26, Mr. Newbatt, Director Wolthuizen, and I met at the Adrian Branch Library to discuss final ideas for the space. The design for the story time/castle space was not drawn out; rather, the design took shape in Mr. Newbatt’s imagination, and he explained the ideas to us as they occurred to him.
I have never seen an artistic painter at work before, and what a process it was! “How about this?” Mr. Newbatt would ask; or “what if I do this over here ….” I have never been very good at spatial visualization, so most of the time I murmured, “sounds good!” even if I was not sure exactly what Mr. Newbatt meant. Other times, he took his paint brush and with a few strokes created whimsical scenes, a backdrop for imagination, making me see quite clearly where his idea was taking him.
He painted solely from his own imagination. There were no blueprints, no samples of ideas. Rather, he painted where the space led him. Or, as he put it, “The space tells me what it needs.” Time and again he would step back, take a broader look at the area, then with the briefest of nods, or a wisp of light in his eyes, he went back to the “canvas” which was the castle itself, to add details that brought the imagery to life.
All of us wanted Mr. Newbatt to create a space that would be warm and inviting; a space that would beckon to young and old alike – a space that would spark the imagination, or create a soft haven for the reading of books. In a few brush strokes, a cozy fire crackled on a hearth; a few broad sweeps and a sunset sky held the faintest of silhouetted images; bold lines blended into soft corners, creating the feeling of an ancient castle that survived through the centuries. Mr. Newbatt clearly understood our mission as it was one of his own – by providing a space, but leaving the details to the beholder’s imagination – the space is never still, but always changing. He spoke to youngsters that came in and asked for their opinions and suggestions, and took a few of those to create even more enchantment.
The mural was completed after hours on Friday evening. The finished mural was on display for the first time on Monday, July 30. The response was immediate and positive – patrons were thrilled with the change, and thought it added so much to that corner of the library. I can’t explain it all, nor should I. It is better seen than described, and I invite everyone to stop in at the library to see what Mr. Newbatt has created.
David Newbatt has been painting for decades, and has had exhibits through Great Britain and Europe; his murals can be found in many countries, including the United States. He is a teacher at a Camphill Community for young adults with special needs. He does therapeutic-related work with special needs adults. When he visits the United States and creates murals, his donates his fee to the Lakota Waldorf School on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.
While in the area, Mr. Newbatt will also create a mural at the Nobles County Library in Worthington. If you are in Worthington, stop in and see what he has created there.
For more information on Mr. Newbatt, check out the artist’s webpage: http://cargocolletive.com/davidnewbatt or his facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/david.newbatt.3
Later this week, some photos of the completed artwork will be posted on the library blog: http://adrianbranchlibraryblogspot.com/ Trust me, though – you will want to see the incredible mural yourself! Stop in when you are in town and take a look.
