On Exhibit

On Display in the Atrium

A Tale of Two Digs: Recent Archaeology at the Prudence Crandall Museum
On display through April 30, 2024.

On Display in the Community Room

 Ed Johnetta Miller

In honor of Harris Sisters Month, Otis Library will host a display by noted quilt/fiber artist Ed Johnetta Miller. Widely exhibited in the US and internationally, her quilts are found in numerous important museums and private collections such as the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Museum of Art (Washington DC), The Contemporary Quilt Museum (Golden, Colorado), The Wadsworth Museum of Art (Hartford, CT), Nelson Mandela’s National Museum (Cape Town, South Africa), Safeco Corporation, Johnson & Johnson Corporation, Hartford Hospital, Michigan State University, Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital, and US Embassy (Cotonou, Benin West Africa). In 2019, she was commissioned by the West Hartford Art League to design five quilts for a mural project on the grounds of the Art League. NOTE: Please join us for a reception in the Community Room on Saturday, April 20, following the Puppet Show with Dan Butterworth at 11am.

Permanent Displays

Art by Dan Topalis

Dan Topalis has been painting and drawing since 1976. When he lived in Philadelphia, he would draw the homeless sleeping on the benches in the park. Now living in Norwich, he has continued his passion of painting people he sees. He has always loved each person, appreciating that there is a story in every person’s face. He chooses people whose faces intrigue him. 

Dan’s work is a permanent fixture at Otis Library. There are pieces on display throughout the building. Additional pieces are featured periodically in the Community Room on the second floor, when another exhibit is not on display.  

“Children of the World” by Lavanya Shubhakar

Lavanya Shubhakar, local artist and Director of Education at Mystic Museum of Art, created a multi-panel artwork titled Children of the World for Otis Library. The panels focus on cultures of various regions/countries and feature children of all abilities and ages. Lavanya’s main goal for the project is for all viewers to find a part of themselves in the artwork. 

To view her installation, please visit the Children’s Department on the second floor of Otis Library. 

This project was made possible by the Norwich ARPA grants for arts and culture awarded to Lavanya by the Cultural Coalition in partnership with the City of Norwich.

Children’s Playroom Mural by Carolyn McNeil

Carolyn McNeil is a local artist who volunteered over 30 hours and donated the supplies to create this beautiful mural to brighten our playroom. She works as a muralist, spreading joy and art throughout the area. 

A large tree stretches from floor to ceiling. Its branches are home to little native woodland creatures. Green fields reach about half way up the wall.

“The View of My Town”  by Samson Tonton

Local artist Samson Tonton’s piece, “The View of My Town,” is on permanent display in the Otis Library Community Room. The piece is his interpretation of the City of Norwich. Mr. Tonton has exhibited his work at Otis Library several times over the years, always to rave reviews!  We are so grateful for this very generous donation.

Samson Tonton and then Director Bob Farwell stand next to "The View of My Town."

“Waterfall”  by Faith Satterfield

Donated in 2016, this piece is a juxtaposition of an aerial map view and standing right in front of flowing water. This harbor town is made better by the water that flows through it – water brings a place of peace and quiet, even when it roars. 

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