University City Partners unveil storybook collection

Everett Blackmon | UNIVERSITY CITY REGIONAL LIBRARY

Keith Stanley, (from left) University City Partners President and CEO; Lawrence Brinson, director of community outreach and engagement, Office of U.S. Rep. Alma Adams; artist Janeva Tyree; Charlotte City Council members Renee Johnson and Malcolm Graham; David Dillard, real estate director at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Debra Sharp, University City Regional Library branch manager.

The new "Turning the Page" Storybook Sculpture Collection in University City boosts literacy awareness, community engagement and culture.

The art installation near University City Regional Library features characters inspired by “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” “The Cat in the Hat” and the pigeon from “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.”

“Families are invited to explore the sculptures, take photos, visit the library and discover the joy of reading,” said Loán Lake, director of communications and engagement for University City Partners. “Turning the Page represents more than a collection of sculptures. It demonstrates how public art, literacy, placemaking and partnership can come together to create spaces that belong to the community. It also represents the continued evolution of the lake and University Place as a gathering place for University City — with more art, activation, experiences and investment still to come.” 

Janeva Tyree was commissioned to complete the art with support from University City Partners, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library and the city of Charlotte through the Urban Design Center’s placemaking grant. Approximately 80% of the installation is made from recycled or reclaimed materials, including reclaimed wood that creates the framing and interior structure of the sculptures, as well as fragmented recycled glass embedded into the interior base flooring, according. 

“The sculptures also incorporate solar lighting, using energy from the sun to create a beautiful, illuminated display at night,” Tyree said. “Ultimately, the intention of the sculptures is to create a bridge between imagination, literacy, childhood, and our connection to self - and to create a place where memories can be made for generations to come. I also hope they serve as a reminder that we can treat our planet with care and leave a beautiful place behind for future generations, both through our actions and through art,” she added. 

It took over six months for Tyree to gain approval from book publishers to create the sculptures which unlocked another few months to develop sketches and gather community feedback on the popularity of the designs.
The idea to create the art installation originated with former University City Partners leader Darlene Heater, whose passion for childhood literacy included regularly reading to students at Governor’s Village STEM Academy. 

“My mission as an artist has always been to create art that sparks conversation, connection, creativity, and community,” Tyree said. “When people engage with these sculptures, I hope the installation activates that engagement.

Visitors can take pictures, walk around the sculptures for a full 360-degree experience, and see some of their favorite childhood books come to life in a completely different way - all just steps away from the new University City Regional Library, where they can discover even more stories.

“I hope this installation becomes a place where the community gathers, creates memories, and feels inspired. For children, I hope it sparks curiosity about literacy, art, and imagination. For adults, I hope it becomes a portal that allows them to tap back into their inner child and reconnect with memories they may not have visited in years. Ultimately, I hope the collection serves as a bridge between literacy, art, imagination, and generations.” 

The installment was unveiled ahead of Kids Fest, another activity at the boardwalk intended to make learning fun through engagement with art, literacy and corresponding educational experiences. 

“Our hope is that the art will inspire or reignite a love of reading, creativity and wonder in children and parents,” Lake said. “The unveiling was not intentionally scheduled to coordinate with Charlotte Kids Fest; however, the sculptures now add an additional activation that can be experienced by children from all over Charlotte who will be attending the event on Oct. 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.” 

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