Sabrina Smith

Background

Renovations at the Houston Public Library branch in the Heights left the space with a large blank wall that seemed perfect for a mural. As the second oldest library in the HPL system, it was important that the artwork reflect the history and culture of the area. Built over 130 years ago the Heights was the first suburb in Houston. The developers were very deliberate when designing the neighborhood, creating not just a place for downtown commuters to sleep but a place for them to live and play.

Solution & Impact

Tasked with creating a mural, I met with the previous branch manager as well as a neighborhood local to learn more about the area and what library patrons might want. I also utilized the HPL archive for images, books, and articles to learn more about the library and area.

After the preliminary research, I began sketching out concepts for the mural, finally settling on the concept of abstract shapes, recognizable imagery, and some kind of interesting/inspirational text.

It was clear that the history of the area is important and beloved by residents. As a registered historical building, the library consists of a mix between the original 1920s architecture and contemporary renovations. This mixture of old and new as well as proximity to many families lead me towards the final design.

I originally wanted to have quotes from prominent Heights or Houston natives but due to the lack of quotes, decided to put more emphasis on the history of the area. We were able to source one quote from Dan Rather, a journalist who got his start here, about the importance of libraries.

A historical timeline of the area and black and white photos from the library’s archive juxtapose the bright, colorful shapes and activities depicting what life is like for residents now. The visuals needed to be interesting to anyone visiting the library. It also needed to be eye-catching since it would be visible through the large windows at the front of the building. Along with bright illustrations, there are icons depicting various well-known landmarks, buildings, plants, and animals of in the area. These small illustrations and icons serve as a kind of “eye spy” game for visitors.

The last piece was adding the text in the middle of the design. The “Heights Library” typeface, similar to the monument sign outside, is surrounded by the artwork. This is to signify that the library is a central pillar to the community. I decided to add the text, “This is our story. What’s yours?” as a conversation starter and thought provoking message for visitors.

After the design was finalized and approved by the previous branch manager and Assistant Director, we had the mural printed on vinyl and installed on-site by an outside vendor. The reception has been well met, with both patrons and library staff enjoying the addition.