Fairfield artist Hans Olson donates painting to library

FAIRFIELD – The Fairfield Public Library received a painting from a local artist this week.

Hans Olson painted a scene from Jefferson County Park in Fairfield and titled the painting, “A Place to Rest.” On Tuesday morning, Olson presented the painting to staff at the Fairfield Public Library, who said they would soon hang the painting in a prominent place.

“Jefferson County Park is one of my favorite places to be in nature,” Olson said. “One of my favorite places at the park is the upper pond, which is what this painting is of.”

Olson said he named the painting “A Place to Rest” because that spot of the park is where he likes to reflect, inspire and “calm my spirit.” He said he donated it to the library because he learned it was looking for art, and felt the painting needed to be hung somewhere that the public could see it.

Fairfield Library Director Alecs Schmidt-Mickunas said the library has had a close relationship with the town’s artists and has worked with the Fairfield Art Association to promote art. Schmidt-Mickunas said that this piece from Olson was previously hanging at the Fairfield Art Association’s wing of the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center. When Schmidt-Mickunas formed the library’s art advisory committee, he mentioned that he’d like to have work by artists such as Olson shown prominently at the library.

“And now I’m happy to announce that we have a piece by Hans, and I can’t wait to display it,” Schmidt-Mickunas said.

Schmidt-Mickunas said he’s been working on a program whereby patrons could check out works of art for three months at a time. The art would likely be fine art prints, or high resolution scans of their work that is nicely framed. He said the library has 12 pieces already in this collection, and now needs to add a plate on the back of each one that will contain a description of the art and artist.

“We’re hoping that by this June that collection will be ready for check out,” Schmidt-Mickunas said.

Those interested in exploring more of Olson’s artwork can visit his website at www.hansolson.com.

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Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com