Local Artist’s Woodland Scene Graces Troy Public Library’s Youth Services Area
(TPL, Sept. 11, 2023)
Troy, MI – Troy Public Library (TPL) is proud to unveil a new and unique piece of art in the Youth Services Department. This illustrated piece, featuring a wooded scene with a caregiver and children reading amongst woodland friends, spans eight feet wide above TPL’s busy play area. “It’s such a great piece and we are so grateful we were able to connect with local artist, Parker Scott, to make it happen,” says Emily Dumas, TPL Director.
Parker Scott is a recent College for Creative Studies graduate who also grew up in Troy and attended Troy High School. “Growing up in Troy, my family and I made regular trips to the local library. I have fond memories of my visits to the youth area—it’s a space full of books and activities to inspire the imagination, and one I’m very excited to be a part of through my work,” says Parker Scott who originally created the work as part of a series of themed pieces for a theoretical local library. “My overall goal for the project was to simulate client work by designing a campaign to fit a real-world setting. Designing the work, I definitely had Troy Public Library in Mind.”
In early 2023, Scott was invited to meet with library staff to discuss the possibility of using his work in TPL’s Youth Department. “This artwork was an opportunity to invest in the space for our local families,” says Keegan Sulecki, Head of Youth Services at TPL. The Library boasted more than 298,000 visitors from July 2022 to June 2023 and amongst them are many families with children. “The Youth play area is definitely one of the most loved parts of the library,” says Sulecki.
While this is a great addition to the library, this piece holds additional meaning for TPL. “Parker’s artwork is a physical reminder of the ways in which the library personally impacts members of the community,” says Olivia Olson, Head of Community Engagement. Recently, Sulecki and Olson worked together to launch what they are calling Humans of TPL, an effort to capture stories from community members about how the library has impacted them.
“I’m always amazed at all the different ways people use the library to improve their lives,” explains Olson. “We have people tell us that they studied for their degree at the library, or that we helped them find resources after their child was diagnosed with dyslexia, or that we gave someone a community when they were new to the area. It’s so important that these stories get told.” Humans of TPL posts can be found on the library’s social media pages and on their website at troypl.org/humans. Community members interested in sharing their own stories can contact Olivia Olsen at 248-680-7297.
Artist Parker Scott is definitely an example of how books and libraries can inspire. “I’ve made art for about as long as I could hold a pencil. I started drawing cartoons at a young age to express my interest in animation and comics. Reading the works of artists like Charles Schulz and Bill Watterson instilled a passion in me for visual storytelling—inspiring my career in illustration years later,” says Scott. To see more of Scotts work visit https://www.pdsillustration.com/. His featured piece at TPL can be enjoyed in the Youth Services Department play area anytime the library is open.
Troy Public Library is located at 510 W. Big Beaver Rd., just northeast of City Hall. Visit troypl.org for more information or call 248.524.3538 for all inquiries.
