A community grows stronger when each voice has the opportunity to tell its story. At the Aurora Public Library District, we created the Community Voices initiative to provide a space for people in Aurora to share their personal narratives, learn from their neighbors, and see themselves reflected in our city. Community Voices shares these stories to celebrate diverse experiences, cultivate empathy within our community, and foster meaningful connections. That sense of connection now takes a visual form through the installation of a new permanent art piece at the Santori Library. This painting reminds every library visitor that your story matters, and together, these stories shape a stronger Aurora.
Community Voices has been an impactful initiative for our community, but each exhibit is temporary in nature. We wanted a way to celebrate the people of Aurora and evoke the spirit of Community Voices in an artwork that could be on permanent display. So, last fall APLD invited artists to submit original designs inspired by Community Voices and its ideas. “Commissioning an artwork for our library is a natural extension of Aurora’s support for and commitment to public art. It makes sense for a city full of murals to have a library full of community art,” said genealogy and community history librarian, Cailín. “This project was a wonderful opportunity to lean into Aurora’s assets, allowing us to both support our incredible community of artists and celebrate the value of our diverse community.”
The call for art was received, and twenty local artists submitted heartfelt and imaginative proposals. With so many compelling submissions, selecting one piece was no small task. In the end, the selection committee was particularly drawn to one piece’s vibrant representation of community strength and belonging. “The selected artwork is full of life, movement, and deeply rooted in place,” adds Cailín. “It’s a wonderful celebration of Aurora, the people who live here, and the unique blend of cultures that are in conversation with each other in this specific place.” Commissioning the piece was about more than beautifying an empty wall. The chosen artwork serves as both a tribute and an invitation—recognizing the stories already shared while encouraging new voices to step forward.
The reveal will take place during March’s First Friday event at the Santori Library at 6 p.m. Friday, March 6. Attendees will also get to see an exhibit of all the submitted artwork proposals and contribute to a collaborative community craft. For more information about the event, visit www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/event/15357706 or contact the library at 630-264-4117.
Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.