Yes, there is more to a library than books — as if books aren’t enough! This is especially true ever since the new Library Hall opened its doors in 2021. The Library Hall is actually located to the west of the Orem Public Library and Orem City Center.

In addition to art exhibitions, the Library Hall also features three venues for various programs and events. Additionally, there is a meeting space and room for informal gatherings. Library Hall came to be after years of planning, hard work, contributions and donations from community members.

The art gallery features works by local artists as well as national artists and traveling exhibitions. Local Orem artist Abigail Morris is the current featured artist and creator of the “Strange Weather: A Study in Skies” pieces.

“Clouds and skies have always held a certain interest for me. I find their ever-changing nature both beautiful and fascinating. It occurred to me once that you never see the same sky twice — so many things affect what makes up the sky that every time you look at it, it can never be exactly the same,” Morris said. “These thoughts helped spur the inspiration for this series.”

Courtesy photo

Morris said that she wanted to create large-scale abstract skies depicting multiple weather patterns simultaneously, to show side by side just how beautiful and different the skies are every day and to capture how they constantly change.

“Each day in 2021, I carefully observed and documented the skies and weather patterns. I then juxtaposed the weather I had observed for each day onto a single canvas. Each individual painting depicts a culmination of the skies for that given month,” she said.

Morris  creates many of her pieces using her hands, rather than brushes or other painting tools. In fact, all of the pieces in this particular series were created with her bare hands.

This is the first time that the entire series has been displayed, because the pieces are relatively new. “When I was given the opportunity to exhibit at the new Orem Library Hall, I was very excited to finally be able to have them all up together as I had envisioned. Also, the close of the year seems to be the perfect time to reflect back on past months,” she said.

This is a unique opportunity to view Morris’s works. This year, many of her exhibitions have been outside of Utah, including several in California and one in Pennsylvania. To view more of her works, check out her Instagram account @abigailmorrisart.

Courtesy photo

This time of year can bring on the clouds – not just in the skies. Viewing artworks is one way that can lift spirits and chase the doldrums away. Check out Library Hall for this exhibition and others in the future.