Abigail Derkson/ Winonan
Artist Sarah Peters wants to surprise people.
Peters has created a library that floats on water.
Minnesota is known for its outdoor lakes and recreational activities. Peters loves to take advantage of the recreation Minnesota has to offer with its canoeing, kayaking and other outdoor activities. A bookmaker by trade, Peters loves book art and has found a way to combine books with the outdoors.
She will bring the collection to Lake Winona this Saturday, Sept. 13 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The floating library will be anchored on the lake in front of the Lake Lodge Recreation Center. People can rent kayaks, canoes and paddleboats from the Lake Lodge to see the collection on the water.
“On one level it can sound like a disastrous idea,” Peters said, “but we’ve managed to create a floating structure that houses the books inside of bags that keep them dry.”
Last year Peters received a $10,000 grant from the Minnesota State Art Board to fund her project. The money she received has paid for the creation of the raft as well as some of the books included in the collection.
With the funds, Peters commissioned three books to be made to tie in closely with lakes. One book was made so it can be dropped into the water after it is read. Another book was printed on potato starch paper with a seaweed cover and was made to be edible by organisms in the lake.
“Typically people don’t talk or engage with strangers, but the library is a surprising thing to come upon when you are in a canoe,” Peters said.
Peters hopes people will be inspired by the art featured in the floating library’s collection. One of the most rewarding parts of the project, Peters said, is seeing the types of art created for the project. Peters not only commissioned three works, but also put out a national call for donations. Many artists answered the call.
“It’s a delightful experience, getting to see all this really beautiful work that people have made,” Peters said.
Peters’ project has spent three weekends in Cedar Lake, Minn. She was invited to Winona by art professor Kjellgren Alkire, who previously worked with Peters at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts.
Alkire said, “As a host of this event, I’m delighted and honored to bring this guest into our community.” Alkire feels this event fits with Winona State University’s theme of civic engagement in sustainable futures.
Alkire said, “Winona’s interested in community engagement. It’s also a place where lots of people recreate.”
Peters, who has never been to Winona, is excited to bring the project here.
“From what I’ve heard, it’s a really active and engaged community. I’m looking forward to talking with people out on the water about their experience with the floating library,” Peters said.
If on the day of the event the weather is bad, the collection can still be viewed inside the Lake Lodge Recreation Center.
“I hope students will take the time out of their Saturday to paddle out,” Alkire said. “People can pick up a book and talk to a librarian about the collection. They can check these books out for a couple of minutes or float for a couple of hours.”
In addition to the event on Saturday, Peters will give a talk about the project and her inspiration behind the included artwork at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11. at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona.
