Alebrije Art in the Library

Our library is now home to a magnificent owl sculpture named Buck.

Mexican artist Edgar Camergo Reyes created this beautiful piece of art specially for our library with inspiration from The Call of the Wild, the first book he read as a child. The alebrije style of art, which originated in Mexico City in the 1940s, depicts brightly colored creatures, typically animals, with playful and exaggerated features. Some think of the artwork as magical, spiritual and even fantastical. No two alebrijes sculptures are ever alike—Maestro Edgar created Buck with the unique feature of a book in its talons.

We have the City of Warrenville’s Tourism and Arts Commission (TAC) to thank for this colorful work of art that now greets library visitors just inside our Stafford Place entrance. As part of its Aesthetic Enhancement Project which aims to preserve and enhance community character, and its desire to celebrate Warrenville’s diversity, TAC worked with Sara Phalen (Warrenville Historical Society Director and Mexican Cultural Center of DuPage Vice President) to commission an alebrije piece after an outpouring of interest in Cantigny’s 2022 showcase: Alebrijes: Creatures of a Dream World. Artist Reyes’ introduction to Warrenville was through Warrenville’s Historical Society, which received two Hotel Tax Grants to sponsor a workshop featuring him as one of the Cantigny show artists and for the creation of an alebrije cat based on the cat in the famous Albright painting “The Picture of Dorian Gray.”

After developing criteria for choosing a location to display the artwork, the TAC determined the library would be an ideal setting because of its potential to be widely viewed by Warrenville’s residents, especially its youngest citizens. Our Executive Director, Jason Stuhlmann, and the Library Board of Trustees eagerly welcomed the opportunity to add to its art collection and delighted in suggesting that the sculpture depict something meaningful to its surroundings. Thus came the owl, often a symbol of  libraries and knowledge, with a book in the talons.

We are grateful for the collaboration and dedication of the City of Warrenville, TAC commissioners Linda Osborn and Brian Owens, Sara Phalen and Fernando Ramirez (Mexican Cultural Center of DuPage, representing artist Reyes) and for the approval of the intergovernmental agreement for the loan and display of the artwork at the Warrenville Public Library.

Visit the library to view and admire our alebrije sculpture and other artwork including:

• Oil paintings by internationally known artist Adam Albright, in the clerestory above the Member Services Desk
• Large mobile titled Cascade by Steven Hass, in the atrium near our Adult collection
• Interactive kaleidoscope by R.C. Anderson, near the café area
• Metal sculptures of The Read Family, by Jeffrey and Barbara Burt, on the stairway between upper and lower levels

Enjoy other artwork in and outside the library by Warrenville artists Nancy Carrigan, Sheri Butler, Dick White, Al Oshsner, the Goodman Family and others.

Other Aesthetic Enhancement Project Artwork in Warrenville

• Leone Schmidt Park (2018), bronze origami Seed Sower (Squirrel) and three bronze origami Seeds (acorns), created by New Mexico artist Kevin Box
• Warrenville Police Department property (2020), stainless-steel sculpture featuring a police officer holding the hand of a child and appearing to emerge from a wall of words, created by Nebraska sculptor Matthew Placzek
• Bob Walters Commons (2023), winged horse sculpture entitled Tribute created by Jen Kresl

Installation photos