Student artist Sy Lee has unveiled his ‘Water Droplet’ sculpture, the newest installation in the Melville Library’s North Reading Room. The library, known for study and research, is also becoming a venue for inspirational art through installations created by student artists and facilitated by the Campus Beautification Committee (CBC).
Library staff expressed satisfaction with recent additions, including a striking ‘Water Droplet’ sculpture hanging from the ceiling and a 10-foot-tall ‘Nailed It’ sculpture made of hundreds of nails.
“The dramatic additions add color and creativity to this vast space and really stand out,” said Jennifer DeVito, associate librarian and director of access and user services. “They create a welcoming environment for our patrons. They provide a way for students’ artwork to get more exposure and for people to be inspired by what others are doing. Overall, they make things more beautiful and bring a little bit more humanity into the workplace.”
Kenneth Schaal, Head of Library Operations, has collaborated with student groups and the Department of Art to enhance various areas within the library. “Students like coming and seeing their work,” he said. “The pieces are interactive, making people stop and pause. They talk about them. And they even come up and ask me questions sometimes.”
Dan Richholt, the Department of Art's sculpture technician, was pleased with displaying his students' creations in high-exposure settings such as Melville Library. He praised Sy Lee (‘Water Droplet’) and Akash Lachman (‘Nailed It’) for their contributions.
“We have several opportunities for students to exhibit their works in galleries around Staller,” said Richholt. “But having large-scale pieces permanently installed in public spaces elevates student art to a whole new level.”
Richholt commended both artists: “Sy was one of the most proficient students I have had the pleasure of working with in over 30 years of college teaching,” he stated. Regarding Lachman’s work on 'Nailed It,' he noted that Akash likes experimenting with materials beyond ordinary expectations.
Campus Beautification Committee members Mitch Trinka, Isaiah Daniel, Mark Lang physically moved Lachman’s sculpture into its place in Melville Library North Reading Room.
With these two artists leaving their legacy upon graduating from Stony Brook University, DeVito mentioned plans to acquire more art in addition to rotating exhibits displayed during annual community events like Art Crawl.
Associate Dean for Research and Learning Janet Clarke shared her enthusiasm about collaborating with CBC to add more beauty to Central Reading Room walls.
DeVito concluded: “Why have sterile, clean walls when you can have something that makes you happy?”— Ellen Cooke