The Barrington Area Library invites you to explore the sculpture and landscape gardens on our grounds. Unique among libraries, we offer an outdoor space for reading, viewing art, and contemplation. Nine garden areas contain plantings and sculptures that allow us to extend the library's mission outside the building's walls. We encourage you to use our gardens, whether you explore the artwork, relax in a reading area, have lunch at our picnic table, or join us for a children's or family program outdoors. The sculptures, on temporary loan from area artists, and the gardens, change continually, so visit us often for a fresh look at what's in bloom.

Ascendere
Ascendere (80" x 24", Wood)
Eugenia Makowski, Palatine, IL
Makowski's unconventional design style evolved over time—from clay constructions through relief compositions, raised collage patterns, wood laminations, and mixed media forms. Inspired by the raw beauty of natural media, Makowski sculpted visual, tactile, emotional expressions.
Quality Time
Quality Time (18" x 21" x 35", Stoneware)
Sheila Oettinger, Skokie, IL
Permanent Collection
Presented by the Barrington Junior Women's Club in Memory of Cathy Schwartz.
Oettinger is interested in the emotional and psychological content of her subject matter as well as the relationships of form to space and that of one figure to another.
Rock Shelf
Rock Shell (31" x 16" x 16", Concrete and steel)
Lynn Olson, Valparaiso, IN
Olson is interested in organic shapes and curves. He has pioneered techniques for using cement as a versatile, direct-sculpting medium which can be tool-worked, polished, or combined with other materials. Rock Shell is infused with steel wool fibers, creating a unique surface resembling stone, shell, and other natural media.
Little Arbor
Little Arbor (78' x 26", Steel, ceramic)
George Voegel, Reno, NV
Little Arbor gets its visual and symbolic origins from young pine trees and Asian pagoda buildings. It is intended to offer a visual and reflective pause to the viewer.
New Direction
New Direction (40" x 66" x 24", Bronze)
Robert Winslow, Chicago, IL
Commissioned by the Village of Barrington, this piece was originally displayed in front of Barrington's Village Hall. Winslow calls this sculpture an "earth fabric life form," intended to embody his private vision and the tensions and contrasts he sensed while imagining it. He hopes that viewers will respond internally to the proportions and patina.
Versare
Versare (115" x 37", Found metal objects)
Michael A. Zasadny, Cary, IL
Zasadny, who turns everyday objects into sculpture, says that nothing has embedded itself into his entire existence like creating sculpture. He feels that his lack of formal artistic training gives him freedom in his work. Versare is Latin, meaning "to move." This piece is made from muffler parts and other found metal objects.
New Direction
X-tras (7' x7', Stainless steel)
Bruce White, DeKalb, IL
The letter X has fascinated White for some time. It is used to signify the unknown, as a barrier, or a warning. Since few words begin with the letter X, lending to its air of mystery. In X-tras, the work is pierced to reveal the inside, while small x's appear to have fallen to the ground as seeds from a pod.