The Stier Family Gallery, on the library’s lower level, hosts exhibitions that offer great variety of media, topics, and artists that educate, inform, or entertain the community. Information about our current exhibit is below, followed by information on how to apply to exhibit your work in our gallery.

Currently on Display

From Ashes to Beauty
Paintings by Frederick Ndabaramiye

February – March, 2024

Selected images from the exhibit

Three paintings by Frederick Ndabaramiye

About the Exhibit:

The loss of Frederick Ndabaramiye’s hands to a machete blade during the Rwandan Genocide was intended to take his life, but instead led to a life of unimaginable possibilities.

Losing his hands required Frederick to begin his life again and to re-learn all of the things that had once been so easy for him. When first re-learning to hold a pencil with both arms, Frederick drew a butterfly, which became the springboard that began his love of painting.

Now an accomplished artist, Frederick has shared his artwork around the world. In his own words, “My heart’s desire is to be an example to all people of the healing power of art and to demonstrate how beauty can rise from the ashes of tragedy. My life’s story is a story of what happens when tragedy spurs determination, empathy, creativity and inspiration on the canvas of the human heart.”

Meet the Artist

You can view Frederick’s vibrant, color-soaked paintings of daily Rwandan life throughout February and March in the Stier Family Art Gallery, but you also have a chance to meet Frederick in person at the library. On Thursday, February 22 at 6:30pm, we’ll be welcoming Frederick in person to TML, where he will share his incredible and inspirational story with us. Once you’ve met him and seen his art, you won’t soon forget Frederick and his amazing life story. Click here to learn more about this event. You can also watch his TED Talk below.

Information for Prospective Artists/Exhibitors

The Stier Family Gallery consists of two wall display areas (with a rail/cord hanging system) and a large display case divided into 5 segments. More detailed space plans are available in the gallery application.

  • All interested artists are strongly encouraged to make a site visit prior to submitting a proposal. Artists are able to use part or all of the gallery space available. Please note, if an artist is only using part of the space (i.e. only the display cases), another artist’s work may be displayed elsewhere in the Gallery.
  • Any interested party in utilizing the gallery must submit an application to the Library Director. 
  • Applications are accepted any time of year. Exhibits are scheduled on a “first come, first serve” basis. Please note that at times of high demand, the gallery may be scheduled months in advance.
  • Given the public viewing of the gallery, the subject matter of any show must be appropriate for children as well as adults, therefore explicit images are not permitted in gallery shows. The Library Director reserves the right to reject or remove any material(s) that seem incongruent with the public nature of the gallery. In the event that the Library Director rejects or removes any material(s) for exhibit, that decision is final.

Click here for more information or to apply!