Westbank libraries: Artist Attwell on creativity, community and conservation

Art has a way of transcending barriers, connecting people, and sparking hope and joy in even the hardest of times. As we close out a year that has been profoundly challenging for our library and community, we would like to recognize an artist who has been deeply involved at Westbank and Laura’s Libraries, and who has lent her creative expertise to helping our community get through the pandemic: Barbara Attwell.

Attwell has been an integral force in bringing art to our library, where the Commons at Laura’s Library has regularly served as a gallery space for local artists. She has also led popular craft workshops for adults and children at the library for the past six years.

“It all started with my having a small tantrum upon a return trip to Houston, where I had just installed an art show,” she said. “I was stopped at the traffic light at Cuernavaca and Bee Cave Road, feeling frustrated that Austin had so few art venues and not a single one on the west side of town. That’s pretty bleak for a city of this size. At that time, artists often had to go to other cities to see good art or have their own exhibits.”

It was during this moment of frustration that inspiration struck.

“I was facing the beautiful new Laura’s Library and thought, ‘I could ask the library if they had interest in becoming a gallery.’”

She, along with several other Cuernavaca artists, installed a gallery hanging system in the library’s Commons.

“The inclusion of art blossomed from there. The gallery got going in 2010, and by 2015, (former programs manager) Kristi Floyd had invited me to share some of my felting skills in a workshop. I was welcomed in on a regular basis.”

Over the years, her crafting workshops have given hundreds of people the opportunity for both creative guidance and artistic exploration.

“We are a culture that places high value on intellectual talents,” she explained, “which although quite important, makes us tend to dismiss many other ways of knowing. Art taps into this zone of mystery, and I delight in watching both kids and adults become totally immersed in something that can be truly transformative in a way we don’t intellectually understand. It is like finding another dimension, and one I believe we are hungry for.”

Roxanna Macaraeg, public service and programs coordinator, has been working closely with Attwell for the past three years and is one of her biggest fans.

“Barbara inspires me with her dedication to art and environmentalism. With her, I’ve learned about working with a wide range of materials and methods, from wool felting to ecoprinting.”

While Attwell’s workshops have helped patrons and library staff alike develop their artistic abilities, it turns out that this is just part of the equation. In addition to giving people the time, space and resources to learn new creative skills, these classes have also helped library patrons connect with each other, something invaluable to many during the pandemic.

“Humans become deeply distressed when isolated,” Attwell said. To her, the goal of building a sense of community has been “almost more important than imparting a skill.”

Macaraeg was unequivocal in her praise.

“Barbara’s classes and projects helped us survive the pandemic.”

In the New Year, Attwell will be shifting her focus. While she may still lead intermittent workshops at the library, she’ll be spending more of her time on her own creative projects. Currently, she has two art exhibits on display at the airport.

“One is of felted sculptures titled ‘Fellow Travelers’ located near the escalators down to baggage claim.”

The other is a series of large portraits of Austin’s endangered cave species.

“Austin has many caves, which have allowed certain insects and salamanders to evolve over millions of years into strange and wonderful creatures. These caves are unfortunately regularly filled in for development. This project is sponsored by the Balcones Canyonlands Preserves and Austin Water, and it is their hope that by using the arts, we can introduce these creatures to Austinites.”

The plight of endangered species in particular motivates her to get into the studio to work. Through her art, she hopes to aid conservation efforts.

“I have found a way to combine my art with an even deeper passion – that of the environment.” She hopes that her work can “help in any way possible to get us back on the path of knowing we share this planet with other amazing and equally important creatures.”

Although we at the library will miss Attwell’s monthly classes, we’re excited to see what she does next.

Maureen Turner Carey is a Public Service and PR Librarian at the Westbank Community Library District.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Westbank libraries: Artist Attwell on creativity, community and conservation