Construction is well underway on the new University City Regional Library, and something special is in store for Library customers.

The new location will feature a stunning sculpture from celebrated North Carolina-based artist Anne Lemanski. Stella Terra depicts a life-sized Appaloosa horse, the exterior hand stitched and constructed entirely of archival paper. The horse’s spots—arranged in the pattern of an actual Appaloosa—are created using vintage children’s encyclopedia images. The sculpture is being donated to the Library as a gift from a generous patron of the arts. It will be showcased at the top of the branch’s open staircase with 360-degree views.

“Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is always looking for new ways to make art more accessible and celebrate the work of our artist and creative community,” says Tony Tallent, associate director for the Library and the lead for many of CML’s art endeavors. “Art is for everyone. The Library is for everyone. It’s a perfect match.”

Tony also recommends visiting Plaza Midwood and Pineville Library Branches to see the new art installations from Nico Amortegui and Melanie Cassen.

UPDATE, 11/26/24: Tony had added another recommendation: the public art at South Boulevard Library location that was installed in early October. The artwork is called “Circles of Dreams” by Monique Luck, a multi-media piece comprised of over a dozen individual circular visual art pieces that tell a complete visual story as they “float” across two walls.