Beyond Books: A Legacy of Learning, Light, and Community
An Artistic Tribute Donated by the Friends of the Wasaga Beach Public Library
The Wasaga Beach Public Library is proud to showcase Beyond Books, a captivating kiln-fused glass installation created by renowned Canadian artist Kelly Ford-Dulson, framed in steel by artisan Tom Fraser. This work of art was generously donated by the Friends of the Wasaga Beach Public Library (FOTL) to commemorate the opening of WBPL’s new facility in 2024.
More than just an art piece, Beyond Books is a bold and beautiful expression of the library’s evolving role as a cultural, educational, and social cornerstone in our community. It reflects our values and mission—to be a welcoming, inclusive, and innovative public space that serves everyone.
A Story Told Through Glass
Glass was chosen as the medium for this installation with great care and symbolism. Made from sand, glass is rooted in Wasaga Beach’s natural identity, home to the longest freshwater beach in the world. It also represents the future—glass is a key material in the sciences, arts, communication, and sustainability, aligning with 11 of the 17 UN Sustainability Goals.
This artwork is composed of 20 glass panels, crafted through 34 kiln fires reaching up to 1465°F. The translucent and colourful panes shimmer and shift throughout the day, offering visitors a dynamic visual experience that changes with the light.
A Journey “Beyond Books”
The panels can be read left to right, bottom to top, symbolizing progress, learning, and possibility. Each one represents a key moment or concept in the evolution of communication—and by extension, the evolution of the library.
Panel 1: Handwriting
The discovery of our early ancestors to scribe images and symbols to communicate is a uniquely human trait. The extraordinary vision to translate our verbal language into letters and words has uniquely shaped our way of communication and human civilization. Ford-Dulson’s cursive writing in glass paints transcribes Michael R. Sull , a renowned American teacher in handwriting and calligraphy, thoughts of the importance and relevance of this important skill.
Panel 2: Books
Books became accessible to the general population with the invention of the printing press. The word “library” originated from latin meaning “place storing books”. Books are what our libraries are founded on and will always be a relevant part of any library community through loaned books, storytelling for kids, book clubs for seniors, resources for study or a cozy spot to get lost in a good book.
Panel 3: Braille
Braille is a way that people with impaired sight can read by touching raised dots. This panel represents many ways WBPL endeavours to provide accessible and inclusive means for learning and interaction. Visitors are invited to discover the basics of braille, which can be seen and felt on signs throughout the building. The black and white pane in this panel contains contains the alphabet, punctuation marks, numbers and symbols to indicate that a number or capital letter is to follow. The bottom section of this panel is the title of this commission, “Beyond Books,” written in braille.
Panel 4: QR Code
This working Quick-Response Code is a black & white matrix that can be scanned by most phone cameras. The code has a large storage capacity of information and is capable of connecting to the web. This particular pane is to symbolize our modern digital world of electronic storage, identification, access to information and communication which are all key services of a modern library. You are invited to scan this QR code with your cellphone to see where it leads.
Design elements and textures of the clear & coloured panes are taken from their corresponding black & white title panels. The foundational clear panes represent oral communication. Like clear glass, the sound of our voices and music are not visible. Before handwriting, books and digital communication, our history was passed down orally from family to family, and community to community. These clear panels symbolize the oral history and contribution of the First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples of Canada and the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Tionontati and Wendat traditional peoples of Wasaga Beach
From the clear base panes, to the black and white panes, the composition ascends to the spectrum of the colours symbolizing the values of inclusion. The colours are based on the recently adopted corporate colours of the Town of Wasaga Beach. The cooler blue colours are a solid base which ascend and transition the eyes to the warmer inspiring yellows above. The fifth and overall representation of this piece is about community. The cluster of four panels recognizes the dedicated volunteers of Friends of the Library and their commitment to Wasaga Beach Public Library, the community of Wasaga Beach and their practical support of the arts.
The Artistry of Kelly Ford-Dulson
As an artist and designer, glass continues to capture Ford-Dulson’s imagination and remains her preferred medium for creative exploration. Its beauty, colour, and texture shift with changing light, making each viewing a unique experience. This window was crafted using kiln-fused glass, where layers of hand-cut glass are fired at up to 1465°F (796°C). For this piece, 20 unique panes required 34 kiln firings—each lasting 24 hours—to achieve their intricate textures and forms.
Visit the Installation
We invite you to visit the Beyond Books window in person and experience how the light, colour, and message of this piece shift and shine throughout the day. Whether you’re reading, exploring, connecting, or simply reflecting, Beyond Books is here to remind you that a library is so much more than a place for books—it’s a place for you.
📍 On display now at:
Wasaga Beach Public Library
544 River Road West
Wasaga Beach, Ontario
With deepest thanks to the Friends of the Wasaga Beach Public Library for their generous donation and unwavering support of literacy, the arts, and our growing community.
Video by Ian Young