Library Artwork and Quilts
Land of Sleeping Giant
David Boyajian’s sculpture is prominently displayed on the Library’s south-facing wall. Commissioned by the Hamden Arts Commission, this work of public art, a wall relief with free-standing sculpture, was installed in October 2003. The sculpture is stainless steel, grounded by a huge history book atop a classical column. The book title, Land of the Sleeping Giant, is also the name of the Sculpture, and refers to Hamden’s “most precious historic natural treasure.”
The wall relief portion of the sculpture consists of four lightweight aluminum archways that span a 16 foot-wide area under the building’s name and above the free-standing sculpture. Trellised forms of free falling oak leaves reflecting ambient light symbolize Hamden’s original four villages of Mt. Carmel, Whitneyville, Highwood and State Street
Thornton Wilder
Pulitzer prize-winning author and famous Hamden resident. His study is located on the library’s main floor. This bust, adjacent to Mr. Wilder’s study, was created by Anthony Bonadies, Professor of Art at Southern Connecticut State University and Hamden resident. Presented to the Library in 1986.
Mable Statue
This graceful white marble statue greets visitors to the library rotunda. It is inscribed “E.S. Bartholomew, Rome, 1857
Bronze Statue
This bronze sculpture is located in the Library’s Media Room. The knight stands 42 1/2 inches tall. It was made in France by “E. Picault" and is inscribed “Le Cid” on the base.
Quilts
Three quilts hang from the second and third level balustrades. “The Eagle Has Landed” quilt has been on loan from award-winning local quilter Sue Clark since shortly after 9/11/01. One Bicentennial Quilt depicts scenes of Hamden; the other Bicentennial Quilt depicts scenes from the Whitneyville section of Hamden.
Totem Pole
On exhibit in the library rotunda since 2001, this totem pole was presented to Stanley L. Mendygral for his 25 years of service to the Indian Guides program affiliated with the Hamden YMCA. Members of the Iroquois Tribe of the local Indian Guides and Princesses Program hand-carved this totem pole in his honor.
The pole has come to be called "Totem Tom" and is the unofficial mascot for the Library. He is our Twitter spokespole, and has a monthly column in the Hamden Journal newspaper.