Sculpture:  “Mother Reading Book To Child” by Al Rhea

The sculptor, Al Rhea, is a Papillion, Nebraska metal artist.  The Library’s sculpture was commissioned in 1994 by the Thomas Bernstein family as a memorial. 

Mr. Rhea finds inspiration for his metal work from ballet and modern dance.  While stationary, the work practically dances as the words read by the mother fly into the air.  The viewer is encouraged to find figurative references from various vantage points.  As a sculpture in metal with vivid yellows, reds and blues, the sculpture remains new and interesting no matter how often viewed.