Student Artwork on Display

The Howell Carnegie Library, in partnership with local schools, is pleased to display artwork from Hutchings 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.

Laura “Cleo” Sedoryk

Artist Information

Laura “Cleo” Sedoryk is a retired letter carrier who enjoys spending her newly found time creating art in a variety of mediums. She began her journey with art years earlier painting large murals for local businesses in the Howell area. Her favorite work is creating mosaics with hand cut glass, “painting with glass” as she likes to say. She also loves reverse glass paintings. Her mosaic work has been recognized in a number of juried forums, earning Best of Show, People’s Choice, and First Place awards. She also volunteered time to create the commemorative slates for the LACASA Garden Tour the past two years and looks forward to donating her time to this cause in upcoming years.

Laura’s work can be found in the East Wing of the Library for the months of May and June 2025.

Contact Information:

laura.sedoryk@att.net

Kathleen Burke

Artist Information

I am an experimental and intuitive artist. I started at a young age with experimental deeds. I was about eight years old when I decided to repaint my mother’s oil painting she was working on. I mashed up a banana, mixed it with baby powder and perfume and repainted, and in my mind, improved her painting. I can still remember that spanking! I have been experimenting with the art expression of Batik. Batik is done with wax and dyes on 100% cotton material. I also use acrylic inks for accents. Part of the charm of Batik is the interesting imperfections that occur. I have framed these painting in glass front and back so you can see how the light makes them glow. I also have been experimenting with the palette knife. Two of the canvases are done with the palette knife.

Kathleen’s work can be found in the West Wing of the Library for the months of May and June 2025.

Contact Information:

517-812-7940

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.

Statue of Two Kids reading on a bench. In Memory of Martha McKenzie

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.

Original Fountain in 1910

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.

A Statue of a mother reading to her child. In Memory of Mary Lou Annatoyn.

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.

Statue of Duane Zemper Holding camera and leaning on stack of books

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

Duane Zemper Story narrated by Jon King – WHMI

Transcription of Duane Zemper Story narrated by Jon King -WHMI

www.zemplegacy.org.