LAC LA BICHE - Staff members at Lac La Biche’s Stuart MacPherson Public Library are hoping an art exhibit that was forced to re-schedule to late January, will still be able to run.
COVID-19 protocols had forced the library to cancel their December Alberta Foundation for the Arts Traveling Exhibition Program (TREX) exhibit featuring the photographic portrait works of Czech-born, Alberta artist Petra Malå Miller.
Library Director Maureen Penn, says the month-long planned duration of the exhibit remains up in the air because of continuing pandemic measures.
“We are still crossing our fingers that we can display it at the end of January,” said Penn.
If the library is able to have their exhibit up and running, it will feature Miller’s displays of portrait photography. Now living in Lethbridge, the artists used photography to feel more connected to the southern Alberta community when she moved there. The portraits feature a wide range of subjects, in images cropped as if the subjects were naked. The all-ages display, does not show any nudity, only the suggestion that the subjects are baring their skin for the camera. The idea behind the Portraits in Light exhibit is to show people in their base form, with no hints about their lives provided by clothing or accessories.
Pandemic challenges
Since the latest round of COVID-19 restrictions implemented by provincial health officials, the library has had to remain closed to the public and only operate through contactless curbside pickup. Penn says they have to remain closed at least another two weeks.
The best-case scenario would see the doors of the facility open up just in time to prepare for the end-of-month exhibit. But Penn knows it will all depend on how the case numbers look.
“They could very well extend that if the cases are not where they want them to be. I can understand, you know, they need to make those restrictions to get those numbers down.
More than just books
Balancing projects, daily operations and the pandemic has opened a new chapter for the library system, says Penn, explaining that library staff have learned to adapt and ‘turn the page’ on new ways to interact with its members. She says the library has kept up with the ever-evolving world and has new and exciting technology, like virtual reality, to appeal to younger residents or people who are wanting to look beyond the page.
New resources are also in place to help members connect outside the library walls — something very important, she says, during the pandemic and reduced social activities.
“Libraries are more than just books and e-resources. They can have a very diverse collection, which is why we have video games, we have a new iPad that can be checked out, and a Samsung tablet. We have musical instruments, board games, and an audio recording kit,” said Penn.
For those wanting to check out books while the library is closed can call 780-623-7467 for curbside pickup.
Updates on the possibility of the art exhibit will be available early in the new year.
To view parts of the exhibit, go to www.petramalamiller.com