Arts reporter and critic Rosemary Ponnekanti keeps you in touch with the arts and culture scene with the help of other News Tribune writers, critics and editors.
Rosemary Ponnekanti is the arts reporter at The News Tribune, and has been a classical music nerd nearly all her life. Besides spending way too much time in galleries, museums and concert halls, she occasionally brings a whistle or double bass to Celtic jam sessions, and insists on singing "Happy Birthday" in four-part harmony.
Other contributors include:
> Arts & entertainment editor Craig Sailor
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The children's book-room at the Wheelock branch of the Tacoma Library is becoming fairy-tale land. Well - the walls are, at least. Muralist Heather Schlegel is the fairy godmother, who's donating her time to paint the wide expanse of wall in the newly-renovated room. The mural is nearly complete, with vivid pictures of castles, dragons, the dish and the spoon, Puss in Boots and other childhood favorites.
Schlegel offered the mural as a donation earlier this year as a way of thanking the library for inspiring her to read and create. A patron there since childhood, Schlegel was captivated by picture books: her first exposure to art, which encouraged her to read more and begin painting. She now brings her own children there, and hopes her art will inspire other youngsters.
"As an artist, I wanted to create a magical atmosphere, where children feel special and celebrated," says Schlegel, who has been painting professionally since 1991 and whose other murals can be seen across the road in the Washington-Hoyt school library, the N.I.C.U. at St. Joseph's Medical Center and the pediatric dentist offices of Dr. Jeffrey Camm, among others. "The library gave me the gift of reading, this mural is my way of saying thank you."
Schlegel's mural covers all four walls. The rather dizzying height of 30 feet on the east wall was, thankfully, accessible via hydraulic lift; the 20-foot height of the west wall had to be done on an extension ladder. Working til midnight every night after the library closed for seven weeks, Schlegel is excited about the project but glad she's nearly finished.
"It'll be good to have my life back!" she says.
A dedication next Saturday, June 13, at 2 p.m. will celebrate the finished mural; guests will include costumed fairy-tale characters, and children are also encouraged to dress up. Puppet shows by Alleyoop will bookend the party at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The Wheelock library is located at 3722 N. 26th St., Tacoma. 253-591-5666, www.tpl.lib.wa.us
