Childrens Mural
The Burlingame Library Foundation has a special treat in store for the children of Burlingame and Hillsborough this fall. The Board has commissioned San Francisco-based muralist Lynne Rutter to create a centennial mural in the main library children’s room. The mural will include subjects and styles from fairy tales and storybooks painted in the manner of the “Golden Age of Illustration.” Examples of styles from that golden age may be seen in the works of: Maxfield Parrish, N.C. Wyeth, and Carl Larsson.
Ms. Rutter noted that, “Figures and characters will also be placed throughout the room; and the architecture of the entire space will be tied together with an ornamental border.”
Similar Projects
Rutter paints her murals on fabric in her studio and then installs them on site. She has done installations of her decorative painting at the Bing Crosby Estate, Hillsborough, and more recently, the Paris Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Her website www.lynnerutter.com features works in a Chinoiserie style, as well as artistic works featuring such painters as Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring” on a monumental (10’ x 13’) scale.
Rutter also created “Cloud Ceiling” in one of the domed buildings at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, Colma, as well as work in private residences in Atherton and Southern California. Ms. Rutter’s artistic talents were also featured in the 2007 San Francisco Designer Showcase house.
Foundation Support
“We are very excited to be able to commission this mural for the children of Burlingame and Hillsborough,” noted Foundation President Stephen Hamilton. “The Foundation provides funding for library collections, programs for all ages, as well as providing public art in the Library for the community.”
Public Art in the Library
Other public art in the main library building includes: “Boy Reading” and “Literary Lions” in bronze;” “Living in Burlingame is a Special Privilege,” a massive restored 12 x 8 foot mural; as well as four historic tapestries, from France and Belgium dating from the 18th century which were gifts to the Library in the early 1960’s.
City Librarian, Alfred Escoffier noted, “The vision for this project came about in 1994 during the reconstruction of the new main library. The concept of public art that children would appreciate was strongly urged; but the funding was not available at the time.”
Centennial Kick-Off
Kris Cannon, chair of the mural committee, noted, “We are excited to raise funds for this project. We are looking for 25 donors who might give $ 1,000 each to make our dream come to fruition.” Inquiries may be made through the Foundation website at: www.burlingamelibraryfoundation.org.
Ms. Rutter will be installing the mural in September, following a routine re-painting of the children’s room. Ms. Ratter’s mural will be unveiled at the Burlingame Public Library Centennial Kick-Off celebration on Sunday, October 19, Noon.