Student Artwork on Display
The Howell Carnegie Library, in partnership with local schools, is pleased to display artwork from Northwest Elementary School in the Youth Services Department of the library. Displays are scheduled to change every month during the school year.
Featured Artists
The Howell Carnegie Library, in partnership with the Livingston Fine Art Association, is pleased to display artwork from 2 local artists in the East and West Wings of the library. Displays are scheduled to change every other month.
For more information on the Livingston Fine Art Association check their Facebook page at Livingston Fine Art Association
Hover over image to view more information about the artwork.
Mary Light
Artist Information
Mary Light is an accomplished artist from Howell who has won numerous awards for her art, including Artist of the Year. While she has been drawing and painting since childhood, she has found it to be a relaxing creative outlet from her nursing career. Working in pastel, oil, and acrylic, her compositions are comprised mainly of natural scenes but she does accept commissions and enjoys portraiture work. She loves plein air painting on her travels locally and abroad and a favorite saying is “always take art supplies with you.” Her work has been seen at many locations around Livingston County, including Trinity Health, Cleary University, various restaurants and libraries and is represented by Blue Heron Art Gallery in Elk Rapids.
Mary’s work can be found in the East Wing of the Library for the months of January and February 2026.
Contact Information:
Carolyn Sdunek
Artist Information
I’m Carolyn and I do art work using copper and glass. I became interested in working with glass as a child when I observed a glass “blower” at Henry Ford’s Greenfield Village. After beginning with Lampwork, my skills have increased and I often use glass in my copper sculptures and frit or stringers in my glass work.
Copper work started after I saw some mobiles on a television craft show. I thought “I can do that and I can do it better.” I started with mobiles out of tooled copper sheet, copper wire, and commercial glass beads. This has expanded to heavier copper, piping, and my own glass and I’ve learned to solder, use power tools, and use engineering techniques.
Carolyn’s work can be found in the West Wing of the Library for the months of January and February 2026.
Contact Information:
517-546-1027 | cjsdunek@charter.net
Permanent Artwork
The Howell Carnegie District Library is home to several pieces of artwork. The various statuary pays tribute to those individuals who have made a lasting impact at the library. We hope you take time to walk around the library grounds and enjoy the ‘Art on Display’
Hover over image to view more information about the artwork.
Martha's Friends
In 2010, a bronze statue at the base of the front steps of the library depicting two children sitting on a bench enjoying an open book was dedicated to Martha McKenzie. Martha was a long time librarian and friend to all who visited the library.
McKenzie, who died of cancer in 2008, became involved with the library through the Friends group before becoming a paid staff member in 1985.
The statue in front of the library was paid for entirely through donations from those in the community who were personally touched by McKenzie’s dedication and service.
Boy and Girl Under Umbrella
The original library statue of a little boy and girl holding an umbrella, was given to the Howell Carnegie Library during the First World War, by the Howell Women’s Club. Cast in Zinc and installed in the center of a medium sized ground basin.
The statue adorned the lawn until 1981, when it was replaced because of damage, by a replica.
Storytime
In 2014, a bronze statue on the east side of the library’s lower level, was dedicated to Mary Lou Annatoyn.
Mary Lou Annatoyn was an advocate for children and a member of the Friends of the Howell Carnegie Library from 1981 until 2008.
The statue was paid for entirely through donations from those in the community who were personally touched by Mary Lou.
Duane Zemper
In 2018, a bronze statue of Duane Zemper was dedicated on the southeast corner of the library grounds.
He was a decorated World War II veteran, a professional photographer in the Howell area for nearly 50 years, an active volunteer with the Howell Area Archives (now Howell Carnegie Library Archives) and a Howell Rotarian.
The Duane Zemper Legacy Project committee is a collaboration of the Howell Rotary, The Howell Carnegie District Library and the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The group was formed to memorialize the enormous contribution to Howell by the man fondly known as “Zemp.”
View the Duane Zemper Legacy Statue Symbology Document