Derby Public Library > Events > Arts Council Exhibits
The Derby Arts Council
at the Derby Public Library
The goal of the Derby Arts Council is to encourage, promote and foster appreciation, participation and support for the visual arts. The Derby Arts Council will showcase local artists and provide an exhibition gallery for Derby and the surrounding area to enhance the cultural arts experience.
There are two gallery spaces in the library that are managed by the Derby Arts Council: the Gathering Space Gallery and the High Wall Gallery. The Gathering Space Gallery is in the library’s lobby and includes the Community Room. Art hung inside the library's Community Room is unavailable for viewing during library programs and room rentals. The High Wall Gallery is inside the library, located in the Kansas & Genealogy area of the library. Three-dimensional art and local collectors can be found on display in the lobby display case.
Click the button below to download the Policies and Procedures of the Derby Arts Council, which includes the artist release statement and inventory sheet.
Any questions regarding the artwork, including possible purchase, can be directed to Tami English, Derby Public Library Office Manager and Derby Arts Council Chair.
Now showing in the Gathering Space Gallery
"Unconventional Canvases: A Textural Journey"
A new art show, "Unconventional Canvases: A Textural Journey," is coming to the Gathering Space Gallery at the Derby Public Library this September, showcasing five local artists who challenge traditional art forms. The exhibition is a celebration of texture, storytelling, and the creative collaboration of artists who inspire one another.
The show features a vibrant collection from five unique voices. Kayann Ausherman uses mixed media to create layered histories with found ephemera and traditional art supplies. Abby Ausherman transforms old quilts into modern soft sculptures, exploring family bonds and the comfort of textiles. Mary Lee-McDonald presents whimsical and uplifting mosaics using a variety of glass tiles and creates dimensional, sculpted paintings using her own special techniques. Fiber artist Ernie Kind brings abstract ideas to life through felting, ceramics, and metalwork, creating powerful soft sculptures and organic shapes. The final artist, Stephanie Bayliff, will be showcasing vivid palette knife paintings, weavings, abstract mixed-media, and stitched, hand-beaded textile work.
What connects these five artists is more than just their shared exhibit; they are all talented teachers that create a powerful support network for their students and all other artists. They have spent their artistic careers pushing each other to combine materials and venture beyond conventional boundaries. As one of the artists explains, "Being around each of these artists always re-energizes me and inspires me to keep pushing. They are each a mirror that reflects back what I am trying to shine in the world."
The "Unconventional Canvases: A Textural Journey" exhibition is free and open to the public. You can meet the artists and learn more about their work at a special reception on Friday, October 17, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM in the gallery.
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Feeding Frenzy
by Stephanie Bayliff | New Beginnings
Mary Lee McDonald |
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In Living Color
Kayann Ausherman | Harvest Moon
Ernie Kind |
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Severance/Suture
Abby Ausherman | |
Now Showing in the High Wall Gallery
"Guardians of the Skies and Plains: A Derby Photographer's Collection"
by Greg Stockebrand
The Derby Public Library's High Wall Gallery is set to host an incredible journey into the heart of the American wilderness with an upcoming photography exhibition by local artist Greg Stockebrand. The show will feature Stockebrand’s powerful images of large animal life, including majestic bald eagles, powerful elk, bighorn rams, and graceful deer.
Stockebrand’s passion for wildlife photography is a multi-generational legacy, shared with his father and son. While this photographic tradition runs deep in his family, this exclusive showcase features only Greg’s personal works, capturing his unique perspective on these magnificent creatures.
Visitors will have the opportunity to see firsthand the results of countless hours spent patiently observing and documenting the untamed beauty of the animal kingdom. The exhibit promises to be a stunning collection of moments frozen in time, reflecting both the power and the serenity of nature.
The exhibition is slated to open soon in the High Wall Gallery and will be available to view through November 4, 2025. Meet the artist at an evening reception on Friday, October 17, 2025, from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Now Showing in the Lobby Display Case
Shutter & Soul: Garry Brownlee's Vintage Camera Journey
Step into a captivating journey through the evolution of photography with Garry Brownlee's exclusive display of vintage cameras. This unique showcase, featuring pieces from Brownlee's personal collection, offers a rare glimpse into the artistry and engineering of classic photographic equipment. Each camera tells a story, from the intricate bellows of early models to the sleek designs of mid-century marvels, inviting viewers to appreciate the tactile beauty and historical significance of these instruments.
Brownlee, a revered local photographer known for his evocative landscapes and portraits, curated this collection as more than just a display of historical artifacts; it's a heartfelt homage to the very roots of his craft. You'll get to see the tools that shaped photographic history and perhaps even spark your own passion for the art. Don't miss this chance to connect with the past and celebrate the enduring legacy of photography through the eyes—and lenses—of Garry Brownlee.
