Former mayor loans sculpture celebrating joy of reading for display at Balboa Branch Library
LA Times“A Novel Idea,” by Florida artist Craig Gray, will appear at the Balboa Branch Library after its remodel is completed. A former mayor of Newport Beach who acquired a sculpture celebrating the joy of reading agreed to loan it last week for display at the city’s Balboa Branch Library once the remodel of the public building is complete. The binding of the tome-shaped block that serves as its seat bears the title and surname “Their Eyes Were Watching God — Hurston.” One of its legs is a representation of Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.” Other classics referenced in the piece include “Catch 22,” “Dune,” “Fahrenheit 451” and “Green Eggs and Ham.” The piece had previously been on display at the Newport Beach Civic Center Park. “In the last eight years that I’ve been on council, this was one of my favorite pieces,” current Mayor Will O’Neill said.
