Five new SF public library cards feature Creativity Explored artwork
Isaias Gomez's design, “GG Reflection”, received the most votes in the SFPL art contest and is one of five designs that is featured on a library card.
Creativity Explored is excited to share a unique take on library cards created by CE artists!
In honor of our 40th anniversary, the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) hosted an exhibition featuring 30 reproductions of artworks inspired by the library, and let the public vote on their top five designs to be turned into library cards. Throughout Spring 2023, SFPL visitors voted in person or online for their favorite artworks by 30 different Creativity Explored artists. More than 2,700 votes were cast, and we are excited to announce the winners: Isaias Gomez, Andrew Wong, Guadalupe Ramos, Nubia Ortega, and Hiro Medina.
“This was such a fun collaboration. This competition was embraced system-wide, and it was wonderful to receive so many votes. Congratulations to the winners!”
The five winning designs by CE artists
CE artists and staff stand at the entrance to SFPL holding the winning library cards
Nubia Ortega’s artwork is featured on a library card, positioned in front of her other original works.
Library Card Design Winners
Isaias Gomez, "GG Reflection"
Of the more than 2,700 votes that were cast, Gomez emerged as the crowd favorite for his nighttime depiction of the Golden Gate Bridge and the surrounding cityscape.
Andrew Wong, "Goodnight Moon"
Drawing inspiration from Margaret Wise Brown's "Goodnight Moon," Wong's design features two children, who are surrounded by a variety toys, in a green and blue room. A window pane frames three stars and a moon.
Guadalupe Ramos, "Victoriana Dream on Steiner Street"
Ramos' work is a panoramic view of the Painted Ladies. The iconic row of houses are framed by skyscrapers while the composition's lemon-yellow hue "evokes the dawn of a new day."
Nubia Ortega, "Untitled"
Ortega was inspired by "Tenangos," the Otomi Mexican embroidery tradition. Her piece features an individual surrounded by brightly-colored flowers and animals.
Hiro Medina, "A Pecking Good Read"
Medina's work displays a colorful bird wrapped up in both a scarf and a book out of its personal library. A circular window adorned with string lights overlooks a landscape during the day.
CE artist Isaias Gomez holds up his library card design
“I painted the bridge digitally. I grew up in the Bay Area, I am a native to San Francisco. I made these landscapes because they are places I went. I was in highschool in computer class, and that is when I first learned computer art.
[Seeing my art on a library card] made me feel creative and very talented. The shading, the reflections, the sky, including the lights.”
In September, CE artists and staff had a chance to visit the SFPL Main Library to see their library cards in action, and to check out the fantastic exhibits the library has to offer! Thank you to SFPL for hosting us and providing free services and exhibitions to all of San Francisco.
ABOUT THE SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY
San Francisco Public Library is dedicated to free and equal access to information, knowledge, independent learning and the joys of reading for our diverse community. The library system is made up of 27 neighborhood branches, the San Francisco Main Library at Civic Center and four bookmobiles. To learn more, please visit sfpl.org and follow on Twitter @SFPublicLibrary on Instagram @sfpubliclibrary.