Garden of Goodness: A celebration of public art at Sumner Library

Join us at Sumner Library to celebrate the installation of “Garden of Goodness,” a tile and glass mosaic, created by Stacia Goodman as part of Hennepin County’s One Percent for Art program.

The event will be held Sunday, April 6, from 2-4 p.m. at Sumner Library. Family-friendly art activities, music by Vinyl Revival, and refreshments will be available at the event. A program is planned for 2 p.m.

About the art

The design of “Garden of Goodness” was greatly inspired by the history of Sumner Library, it’s Gary N. Sudduth African American History and Culture Collection, and the Near North neighborhood. The design was refined by community engagement with Sumner’s staff and patrons. During the library’s grand reopening celebration in Fall 2024, attendees voted on two different designs and offered feedback.

The culmination of input is reflected in the final design that conveys how Sumner Library offers the endless seeds of possibility and the support to blossom. Hands open to sprout fluttering pages and a lively vine that spells out “Sumner.” The colors of the lettered books intentionally reflect the rich diversity of the Near North neighborhood. To honor the continuum of learning, the mosaic concludes with an infinity spiral and bursting purple bloom – a color that symbolizes royalty and imagination.

Learn more about art at the library

About the artist

Stacia Goodman is a Minneapolis-based, mixed-media mosaic artist, teacher, volunteer, and justice advocate. Stacia’s humble upbringing in a single-wide trailer house in Northern Minnesota has greatly influenced and informed her self-taught art practice. She finds the mosaic medium the perfect metaphor to convey transformational possibility and beauty.

Today, Stacia’s life’s work is creating accessible, authentic public art with uplifting themes that inspire personal and community healing, resiliency, and pride. Her inspiration: other brave artists, activists, caregivers, and good humans around the globe.