When Cuyahoga County Public Library’s (CCPL) Parma-Powers Branch opened in October 2013, a 240-square-foot space served as temporary installation space for a Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) interactive art exhibit.

The CMA exhibit featured several touchscreens that held an extensive catalog of art right at library patrons’ fingertips. That installation also serves as a reminder that libraries are about access to books, knowledge, technology, shared space, and community.

Once the CMA installation was removed, that 240-square-foot wall space sat vacant for several years, while library officials tried to determine the best use for the wall.

CCPL Parma-Powers Art Wall Spring 2024 Show.Then, during a February 2024 visit to the Parma-Powers Branch, CCPL chief of public services officer Pam Jankowski made a suggestion to Chad Lowther, the branch’s head of adult reference and acting branch manager for the Brecksville and Independence CCPL branches.

“She came up with the brilliant idea to make the wall an art space again,” Lowther recalls. “She was totally right, and I was granted the privilege of making that happen.”

Since spring 2024, CCPL has included art in its range of accessibility at the Parma-Powers branch, turning the space into what is now called the Parma-Powers Branch Art Wall—equipped with a video screen to display digital artwork, and acrylic display cases for three-dimensional art in front of the Art Wall.

Gathering momentum
The original small idea for the Parma-Powers Branch Art Wall quickly grew into a rotating gallery, which is now a focal point of the library.

To get the new Gallery Wall established, Lowther first collaborated with artists from the Twist Drill Collective in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood, then with students from the Cleveland Institute of Art’s graphic design department.

“In very early March [2024] I contacted Janet Luken of Artists at the Twist about displaying work on the art wall,” recalls Lowther. “Janet was instrumental in getting things started and, in addition to a series of very talented artists, Janet provided a wealth of information and insight into how to create an art space for people to enjoy.”

Joyce Morrow Jones standing in front of her work at CCPL's Parma-Powers Branch gallery space inaugural show in spring 2024.The first artist from the collective to show at the Parma-Powers Branch Art Wall was Joyce Morrow Jones, who brought her elaborate paper dolls and some textile pieces she made.

“One of those pieces was a tapestry depicting two ‘Ibeji’ (the Nigerian word for ‘twin’) with their hair braided into one another,” recalls Lowther. “I fell in love with that piece and purchased it for my twin sister.”

As word spread about the Gallery Wall, Lowther was approached by the Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society about displaying the winning photographs from the 2024 National Audubon Society Photo Contest.

That local Audubon Society partnership then brought the National Audubon Society’s traveling exhibit to the Parma-Powers CCPL branch this past September, which in-turn inspired a full month of birding-themed programs.

Lowther says the goal of the exhibit wasn’t just to share beautiful photography, but to also spark curiosity and broaden how people think about the library. Visitor response, he says, was encouraging—with some library patrons leaving the library programs eager to try birding for the first time. Lowther reports that even seasoned birders say they learned something new from the exhibit.

For the Winter 2024 show, Luken and Lowther worked with CIA graphic design department chair Adam Lucs, who had his students create kinetic text video art that depicted the title of the winter show: "The Individual's Identity in the Face of Adversity."

“We displayed these beautiful and fascinating video pieces that the students created on the Art Wall's video screen,” recalls Lowther. “We have also displayed the work of other CIA students, including the digital sci-fi collages of Camron Wright, and the fantastical ink drawings of Chi-Irena Wong.”

Meeting community needs
The Gallery Wall also shows how libraries are constantly adapting to meet their communities’ needs, Lowther argues, citing the way patrons read their books as changing with the times.

Chad Lowther standing in front of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma-Powers Branch Art Wall.“Libraries, I think, were seen as sort of an institution of every community when we were simply a place that housed books,” he says. “But ever since the onset of the digital revolution... reading habits have changed. A lot of folks prefer audiobooks now.”

To remain relevant, Lowther says, libraries in recent years have expanded their offerings—from meeting rooms and internet access to study spaces, ESL and GED classes, and social services.

“We’ve really been forced to adapt,” he admits. “I think we’ve become a function of the community and not just an institution of the community.”

The art wall, in a way, is a natural extension of CCPL’s community function. “Libraries are a space known where all members of every community can come together and be served equally,” Lowther continues. “That [community mindset] can also change people's perception about art—they can see art as something that all people are equally entitled to.”

What’s on the wall
The gallery’s purpose of connecting people through art and shared curiosity continues this fall with an exhibit by Cleveland artist Hector Vega, on display now through Sunday, Nov. 30.

Known for his bold geometric style and vibrant cityscapes, Vega has designed guitars for Cleveland’s Guitarmania project and created public works across the city, including sculptures at University Hospitals and MetroHealth. His style is said to represent both his Puerto Rican roots and his connection to Cleveland’s neighborhoods.

“I've loved admiring Hector's sculptures around the University Circle area—like his work in front of the Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital—and when I learned that Hector wanted to show his art at the Parma-Powers Branch I was so thrilled and surprised I almost fell over,” exclaims Lowther. “Hector's work is such an important part of Cleveland culture, and we are so honored to be able to host his show.”

Branch out and explore

Artist and Cleveland Institute of Art senior Cameron Wright, standing in front of their digital collage, Space Junky.While Vega’s exhibit isn’t paired with specific events, the branch continues to offer programming for visitors to make and explore art themselves.

For instance, on Monday, Oct. 27, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., CCPL’s Parma-Powers branch will host “Stories & Stitches: Adult Craft & Listen Hour,” where adults can work on a craft project while listening to an audiobook.

“‘Stories & Stitches’ is a brand-new program created by a Parma-Powers staff member, and we’re very excited about it,” Lowther says.

Up next, the Art Wall is set to feature a holiday installation from the Cleveland Ukrainian Museum in December. “Hopefully, they'll bring some actual Ukrainian eggs for display cases in the exhibit area as well,” Lowther said.

That show will be followed by a winter exhibit early next year from 78th Street Studios artist Katie Avila.

While the art may change, the purpose of the Parma-Powers Branch Art Wall stays the same.

“Art is a conversation that is occurring within a community,” Lowther says. “It’s the way a community’s culture talks. And I think libraries serve as a parlor where that conversation can occur.”

Lowther adds that he is grateful to be able to empower people to better their lives through the library’s free resources.

“I would like to see us continue on the course we are on—continue expanding upon the broad range of programming and services we offer our community,” he says. “I am proud to be a public library worker, to meet people where they are at on the front lines of life. I think part of meeting people where they are at requires adjusting and adapting our offerings, so that we continually meet the needs of our constituents.”

Find out more about the upcoming programming and Art Wall exhibits at Cuyahoga County Public Library Parma-Powers Branch.