Huntington-based artist Nickel Stillnight and the new “Knowledge is Power” mural in the Huntington Public Library.
Reminder Publishing photo by Amy Porter
HUNTINGTON — Nickel Stillnight has partnered with the Huntington Public Library staff and trustees to create a large-scale mural for the library. The piece, which took over 16 hours to complete, according to a description on the library website, is titled “‘Knowledge is Power,’ where abstract and concrete shapes, vibrant colors and bold outlines come together to create an energetic rendition of the human mind.”
“I’ve always been an artist,” said Stillnight, who grew up in Vermont and recently moved to Huntington. On the artist biography at huntingtonpubliclibrary.org, Stillnight wrote, “My passion for art originates from the booming creativity in my mind.”
Stillnight said, “I tried to convey, being an artist for me isn’t stereotypical. All these ideas in my head, as a visual thinker, I’m not going to write about it. I draw what I think.”
The mural at the Huntington Public Library evolved very naturally, Stillnight said, after being hired with a partner to repair toilet fixtures and paint the bathroom.
When Stillnight asked Library Director Amanda Loisell about putting in a mural to spice it up more, Loiselle was 100% excited about the idea.
“It became real and we planned on doing it, and board member Linda Siska helped to get funding for it. From there, the idea went from painting it in the bathroom to the main area,” Stillneight said.
Stillnight gave them four options for murals, and the first choice, “my first mural ever” is on the wall.
“They might want me to do a mural in the kids’ section next, if they get the funding,” Stillnight said. But Stillnight said it’s not really about the money. “Once it’s about money, everything is meaningless.”
Stillnight also talked about the mural’s title, “Knowledge is Power.”
“It’s a common quote. I liked applying it to this — seeing a common saying in abstract art form,” Stillnight said, adding that there are a lot of different things to learn about in a library, many different colors to knowledge, and no smart or stupid ones. Knowledge can be “what are you good at — what do you want to learn.”
For the artist, the blue in the mural represents “waves of energy that come from your mind — how you express yourself, and the valuable lessons you hold in your head; respect for others. Knowledge in your mind pouring art into the world.”
Yellow and green are in a literal sense using words in a powerful way.
“Setting boundaries is the most powerful thing you can do — letting people know you in this world,” Stillnight said. “The orange and red is the energy from the outside world deflecting away from you, being toxic.” Stillnight added that the feelings expressed in the mural came first, then the words to describe it, “As a visual thinker, I’m not going to write about it. I’m going to draw what I think.”
Another current project in process is a mixed media painting and sculpture, which is lightweight for a wall. Stillnight is also writing a script to read and share online difficult topics such as gender roles in an unbiased, philosophical and theoretical way.
“I would like to use my art to represent visually what I’m talking about,” Stillnight said.
If anyone is interested in adding a mural to their home or business, Stillnight “can fix the wall and paint the mural,” and may be contacted at nickel.stillnight@gmail.com.
Loiselle also wrote about the mural project on the library website: “Nickel’s mural speaks to everything that the library strives to be — a vibrant gathering place that offers quality reading, viewing and listening for its patrons, as well as support for independent learning opportunities and formal education. Here people can learn, work and relax together. We are especially excited for the opportunity to feature artwork designed by residents of the communities we serve.”
The Huntington Public Library also offers painting and craft opportunities for residents of all ages on “crafternoon,” which is hosted the second Thursday of every month, this month from 4 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 14. Crafternoon encourages creativity in a relaxed and fun environment. Participants may bring their own project to work on, or make use of the library’s various craft supplies.
Other monthly offerings at the library include a Book Club on the first Thursday of each month at 4:30 p.m., a Book Swap Club on the second Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m., and a Cookbook Club, the fourth Wednesday of every other month at 5 p.m. A monthly game night for teens is on the third Thursday of each month, 4-6 p.m.
Story hour for kids is on Saturday and Monday mornings at 10:30 a.m.
For event details and book catalogs, visit huntingtonpubliclibrary.org, or call 413-512-5206. Hours for the library at 7 E. Main St. are Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 2-6 p.m.
