Libraries
Due to a growing population in Washington State during the 1980s and 1990s, many new libraries were being constructed. In collaboration with architects, these projects gave Beyer more opportunities to express his whimsical nature. In these projects, Beyer used a variety of techniques depending on the architectural needs. Some of the libraries have bas-relief designs directly on the walls, a technique he used in his first public commission in 1967. It was for St. Joseph's Church, Roseburg, OR, where Beyer carved 14 panels of The Stations of the Cross into the (wet) brick walls of the church’s interior.
Due to a growing population in Washington State during the 1980s and 1990s, many new libraries were being constructed. In collaboration with architects, these projects gave Beyer more opportunities to express his whimsical nature. In these projects, Beyer used a variety of techniques depending on the architectural needs. Some of the libraries have bas-relief designs directly on the walls, a technique he used in his first public commission in 1967. It was for St. Joseph's Church, Roseburg, OR, where Beyer carved 14 panels of The Stations of the Cross into the (wet) brick walls of the church’s interior.
Kitt Coyote
Ellensburg Library,
209 N. Ruby Street
Ellensburg, WA
1998, cast aluminum
Kitt, a figure part man and part coyote, was named as a result of a contest by Ellensburg school children. It is short for Kittiys County, the Washington State County where Ellensburg is located. The sculpture was financed by the City, the Garden Club, the library and individuals in town. Beyer made Kitt looking away from his reading, being far more interested in the children coming and going into the library. He has a mischievous “personality.” Kitt stands at the entrance of the library and is almost 7 feet tall.
209 N. Ruby Street
Ellensburg, WA
1998, cast aluminum
Kitt, a figure part man and part coyote, was named as a result of a contest by Ellensburg school children. It is short for Kittiys County, the Washington State County where Ellensburg is located. The sculpture was financed by the City, the Garden Club, the library and individuals in town. Beyer made Kitt looking away from his reading, being far more interested in the children coming and going into the library. He has a mischievous “personality.” Kitt stands at the entrance of the library and is almost 7 feet tall.
The Peaceable Kingdom
Sally Goldmark Library,
Union St. at 33rd, Madrona District
Seattle, WA
1984, cast aluminum figures on a natural stone boulder.
The symbolism of this sculpture is integral to the community where is stands. The Madrona district in Seattle is and was an interracial community. The period from the late 1960s through the end of 1970s was a period when the poor black population was expressing intimidation toward the more wealthy white population and tensions were high. The Black Panther organization had its headquarters in Madrona, and was helping poor children by providing breakfasts in the interracial schools of the district. By the early 1980s the neighborhood had begun to stabilize, with Blacks and Whites living together peaceably.
The Madrona Community Council asked Beyer to create a sculpture that would acknowledge the success of the community in handling its differences. The funds came from a Block Grant for public sculpture. Beyer’s creation brings together the “Pigs” and the “Panthers,” and the “angry young men” and the “little old ladies.”
Union St. at 33rd, Madrona District
Seattle, WA
1984, cast aluminum figures on a natural stone boulder.
The symbolism of this sculpture is integral to the community where is stands. The Madrona district in Seattle is and was an interracial community. The period from the late 1960s through the end of 1970s was a period when the poor black population was expressing intimidation toward the more wealthy white population and tensions were high. The Black Panther organization had its headquarters in Madrona, and was helping poor children by providing breakfasts in the interracial schools of the district. By the early 1980s the neighborhood had begun to stabilize, with Blacks and Whites living together peaceably.
The Madrona Community Council asked Beyer to create a sculpture that would acknowledge the success of the community in handling its differences. The funds came from a Block Grant for public sculpture. Beyer’s creation brings together the “Pigs” and the “Panthers,” and the “angry young men” and the “little old ladies.”
The Peaceable Kingdom (Detail) 1
Sally Goldmark Library,
Union St. at 33rd, Madrona District
Seattle, WA
1984, cast aluminum
The pig is determined to make friends with the Panther. Beyer intended the pig to symbolize the police, and the panther, the Black Panthers.
Union St. at 33rd, Madrona District
Seattle, WA
1984, cast aluminum
The pig is determined to make friends with the Panther. Beyer intended the pig to symbolize the police, and the panther, the Black Panthers.
The Peaceable Kingdom (Detail) 2
Sally Goldmark Library,
Union St. at 33rd, Madrona District
Seattle, WA
1984, cast aluminum
The Wolf knows that the Lamb would be tasty, but she is so cute, he resists and they become friends. The wolf and the lamb "symbolize the street youth and the little old lady in tennis shoes."
Union St. at 33rd, Madrona District
Seattle, WA
1984, cast aluminum
The Wolf knows that the Lamb would be tasty, but she is so cute, he resists and they become friends. The wolf and the lamb "symbolize the street youth and the little old lady in tennis shoes."
The Children
Rainier Beach Library Branch,
9125 Rainier Ave. S.
Seattle, WA
1985, cast aluminum
9125 Rainier Ave. S.
Seattle, WA
1985, cast aluminum
Story Panels
Wheeler Library
(formerly McCormick Library),
Tacoma, WA
1988, five carved brick bas-relief
panels on the building exterior
Here is an example of Beyer’s work with carved brick: five story panels, four feet by four feet, are placed at the first floor level of the library, near the top of the windows. They depict scenes of literary concern.
The process in involved. Individual bricks are carved with portions of a complete design into the mud stage brick. Each brick is numbered and lettered in a grid system to make placement identification. Since bricklayers time is expensive and this work labor intensive, Rich’s wife helped organize the hundreds of brick pieces and handed them to the bricklayers. She said, “We have always found that skilled workmen are energized by working on a sculpture project…it becomes a source of pride.” (Margaret Beyer)
The first panel is “Solar Boat over Tacoma,” showing people coming to work by boat as the sun rises. The 2nd is about writing, an author with a quill pen (shown here). The 3rd depicts challenging opinions, “This is What I See!” shown with four shouting faces. The 4th panel is of animals burning books, illustrating the consequence of violence that can occur if freedom of speech is denied. The 5th and last panel, nearest to the library entrance, is of a librarian reading a pop-up book to a child.
(formerly McCormick Library),
Tacoma, WA
1988, five carved brick bas-relief
panels on the building exterior
Here is an example of Beyer’s work with carved brick: five story panels, four feet by four feet, are placed at the first floor level of the library, near the top of the windows. They depict scenes of literary concern.
The process in involved. Individual bricks are carved with portions of a complete design into the mud stage brick. Each brick is numbered and lettered in a grid system to make placement identification. Since bricklayers time is expensive and this work labor intensive, Rich’s wife helped organize the hundreds of brick pieces and handed them to the bricklayers. She said, “We have always found that skilled workmen are energized by working on a sculpture project…it becomes a source of pride.” (Margaret Beyer)
The first panel is “Solar Boat over Tacoma,” showing people coming to work by boat as the sun rises. The 2nd is about writing, an author with a quill pen (shown here). The 3rd depicts challenging opinions, “This is What I See!” shown with four shouting faces. The 4th panel is of animals burning books, illustrating the consequence of violence that can occur if freedom of speech is denied. The 5th and last panel, nearest to the library entrance, is of a librarian reading a pop-up book to a child.
The Story of Reynard the Fox
The Bellevue Library
110th Ave. NE at 10th
Bellevue, WA
1993, aluminum bas-relief plaques
A 12 foot high wall of story plaques welcomes visitors at the main entrance of the Library. Each plaque illustrates a part of Fox’s story – a legend dating back to Charlemange’s rule (768-814) and later written down by Johann von Goethe of Germany. It is an adult morality tale about the misuse of political power and trickery – a satire that still rings true. The plaques tell Beyer’s version of the story. The quotes are from his book, The Story of Reynard, as told by Robin Doggett. (see the BOOKS section of this website).
The story begins:
“One summer afternoon, a Fox entered an alehouse to assuage his boredom and thirst. At the bar he saw a Wolf sitting alone, drowning his sorrows in his beer… The Wolf told the Fox his woes including his struggles in seminary school… The next day… The Fox reminded the Wolf of the plan they had concocted the night before to join together in creating mischief and to reap the benefits of life that they both deserved…”
110th Ave. NE at 10th
Bellevue, WA
1993, aluminum bas-relief plaques
A 12 foot high wall of story plaques welcomes visitors at the main entrance of the Library. Each plaque illustrates a part of Fox’s story – a legend dating back to Charlemange’s rule (768-814) and later written down by Johann von Goethe of Germany. It is an adult morality tale about the misuse of political power and trickery – a satire that still rings true. The plaques tell Beyer’s version of the story. The quotes are from his book, The Story of Reynard, as told by Robin Doggett. (see the BOOKS section of this website).
The story begins:
“One summer afternoon, a Fox entered an alehouse to assuage his boredom and thirst. At the bar he saw a Wolf sitting alone, drowning his sorrows in his beer… The Wolf told the Fox his woes including his struggles in seminary school… The next day… The Fox reminded the Wolf of the plan they had concocted the night before to join together in creating mischief and to reap the benefits of life that they both deserved…”
The Story of Reynard the Fox (Detail 1)
The Bellevue Library
110th Ave. NE at 10th
Bellevue, WA
1993, aluminum bas-relief plaques
The story continues: …
”After a few hours of ransacking and pillaging, they decided to take a break along the side of the road. They were just discussing how hungry they were when the Fox set eyes upon a fishmonger coming up the road on his way to market. Thinking quickly – a quality foxes are known for – the Fox lay down in the middle of the road, pretending to be dead. The merchant came upon the Fox and stopped his cart to clamber down and have a better look. After discerning that the Fox was dead, he threw him in the back with the fish, eager to have a nice fur muff made out of the carcass.
“After a short while, the Fox carefully began to unload fish from the wagon, tossing them to the Wolf as planned. The Wolf, however, forgot the part of the plan that included sharing the fish with the Fox and ate every last one…”
110th Ave. NE at 10th
Bellevue, WA
1993, aluminum bas-relief plaques
The story continues: …
”After a few hours of ransacking and pillaging, they decided to take a break along the side of the road. They were just discussing how hungry they were when the Fox set eyes upon a fishmonger coming up the road on his way to market. Thinking quickly – a quality foxes are known for – the Fox lay down in the middle of the road, pretending to be dead. The merchant came upon the Fox and stopped his cart to clamber down and have a better look. After discerning that the Fox was dead, he threw him in the back with the fish, eager to have a nice fur muff made out of the carcass.
“After a short while, the Fox carefully began to unload fish from the wagon, tossing them to the Wolf as planned. The Wolf, however, forgot the part of the plan that included sharing the fish with the Fox and ate every last one…”
The Story of Reynard the Fox (Detail 2)
The Bellevue Library
110th Ave. NE at 10th
Bellevue, WA
1993, a wall of bas-relief
panels in aluminum
Fox’s adventures take a turn:
“Upon their return, the (Lion) King immediately put the Fox to trial… and the Fox was sentenced to hang…
“With a tear in his eye, he confessed to being lured by his fox-like nature. But he claimed, the real tragedy lay with the traitors to the King – the Cat, the Bear and the Wolf - who, the Fox claimed, had been stealing from his majesty.
“Obviously, no one reveals traitors to the King without the King taking action. The King called for the immediate arrest and detained the Wolf, the Cat and the Bear. The Cat, however, was savvy to the Fox’s ways and took his leave before the Fox had finished pointing the finger. The Bear and the Wolf, however, were not so swift and were promptly arrested and placed in jail. The Fox promised to regain the King’s stolen treasure and the King rewarded him with a highly ranked position in his council…”
110th Ave. NE at 10th
Bellevue, WA
1993, a wall of bas-relief
panels in aluminum
Fox’s adventures take a turn:
“Upon their return, the (Lion) King immediately put the Fox to trial… and the Fox was sentenced to hang…
“With a tear in his eye, he confessed to being lured by his fox-like nature. But he claimed, the real tragedy lay with the traitors to the King – the Cat, the Bear and the Wolf - who, the Fox claimed, had been stealing from his majesty.
“Obviously, no one reveals traitors to the King without the King taking action. The King called for the immediate arrest and detained the Wolf, the Cat and the Bear. The Cat, however, was savvy to the Fox’s ways and took his leave before the Fox had finished pointing the finger. The Bear and the Wolf, however, were not so swift and were promptly arrested and placed in jail. The Fox promised to regain the King’s stolen treasure and the King rewarded him with a highly ranked position in his council…”
The Story of Reynard the Fox (Detail 3)
The Bellevue Library
110th Ave. NE at 10th
Bellevue, WA
1993, aluminum bas-relief plaques
The Fox continues his trickery:
“Meanwhile, the Fox stayed on at the Wolf’s den, enjoying his newfound role as head of household, but before long, family life became tedious and tiresome to him. The Wolf’s wife nagged at him to put food on the table, and her pups wore at his nerves. He lost his temper with all of it and in a scene of anger and upheaval, left the Wolf’s family to fend for themselves…
“The Wolf found the Fox napping in the sun without a care in the world. His nonchalance added to the Wolf’s fury and he demanded the Fox meet him in a fight to the death…
This part of the story ends with the Fox “stripping the Wolf of his masculinity and pride and winning the duel…” and eventually taking over the Wolf’s territory.
“This story has no moral, this story has no end.”
110th Ave. NE at 10th
Bellevue, WA
1993, aluminum bas-relief plaques
The Fox continues his trickery:
“Meanwhile, the Fox stayed on at the Wolf’s den, enjoying his newfound role as head of household, but before long, family life became tedious and tiresome to him. The Wolf’s wife nagged at him to put food on the table, and her pups wore at his nerves. He lost his temper with all of it and in a scene of anger and upheaval, left the Wolf’s family to fend for themselves…
“The Wolf found the Fox napping in the sun without a care in the world. His nonchalance added to the Wolf’s fury and he demanded the Fox meet him in a fight to the death…
This part of the story ends with the Fox “stripping the Wolf of his masculinity and pride and winning the duel…” and eventually taking over the Wolf’s territory.
“This story has no moral, this story has no end.”
The Carousel
Kirkland Library
308 Kirkland Ave.
City of Kirkland, WA
1995, cast aluminum
308 Kirkland Ave.
City of Kirkland, WA
1995, cast aluminum
The Carousel (Detail)
Kirkland Library
308 Kirkland Ave.
City of Kirkland, WA
1995, cast aluminum
308 Kirkland Ave.
City of Kirkland, WA
1995, cast aluminum
The Carousel (Detail 2)
Kirkland Library
308 Kirkland Ave.
City of Kirkland, WA
1995, cast aluminum
308 Kirkland Ave.
City of Kirkland, WA
1995, cast aluminum
Cougar Holding Hazelnut Branch
Hazelnut Park and Library
Tukwila, WA
1988, rock and aluminum
Tukwila, WA
1988, rock and aluminum