Staff Contributor:
René Bue, HPL Art & Exhibit Coordinator and Fund Development Manager
April is when Mother Nature awakens in Janesville and shows us her beauty. That beauty is reflected in many of the pieces on exhibit at the library. There are also photos and paintings of people that want to share their stories.
This month we feature the artwork of six separate artists, as well as the Janesville Camera Club. Their pieces include media like photography, digital, acrylics, oils, mixed media with tree bark, and pottery. If you choose one month to check out the art exhibits, April would be a great month that would give a well-rounded art experience.
Fireplace Room
In the Fireplace Room, you will find the stunning acrylic paintings of Deb Schwarzhuber. Her paintings include nature and fantasy. Although Deb hasn't been painting for long, she is a prolific painter who paints every morning. Check out Deb's Meet the Artist interview to learn more about her passion for bringing nature to life in her artwork.
River Wall
There are two young artists who have their artwork featured on the River Wall in April. Both artists see their artwork as a way to not only express the beauty in the world but also to explore "emotional landscapes" we all have within us.
Kyla Kluge creates much of her artwork digitally. Her use of vibrant colors and natural images invites the viewer to linger as they ponder their own interpretations of her art. Learn more in Kyla's Meet the Artist interview.
Deven Stephens is the other artist with an exhibit on the River Wall. He uses acrylics and oils to pay tribute to the things he values in his life like his faith and his family. The images in Deven's paintings are stories that go beyond what can be seen on the canvas.
360 Display Case
The exquisite pottery of Doug and Jayne Lubke is in the 360 Display Case next to the Fireplace Room. This couple are the owners of Rubato Studios where they have turned their passion for creating functional pottery into a business. Each piece is unique and can stand alone or be matched with other pieces in their collection. You will enjoy learning how this husband-and-wife team began their art journey by watching their Meet the Artist interview.
The Gallery
The Gallery is filled with gorgeous photography both on the walls and on the wire screens. Pat Sparling's photos are hung on the walls. Pat began pursuing his interest in photography when his mother, who worked for Life Magazine gave him his first camera. He was self-taught and also took classes at the Art Institute of Chicago and Columbia College. Photography became Pat's vocation, and he worked at Lab Safety for Don and Geraldine Hedberg whose generous donation funded the building of our library. Learn more about Pat and his love for capturing nature and street scenes in Meet the Artist: April 2026 with Pat Sparling.
Finally, on the wire screens in the Gallery, we have the annual Janesville Camera Club (JCC) exhibit. Members of the JCC meet monthly, go on photography outings, participate in themed challenges, and learn new techniques from each other. Membership is open to photographers of all skill levels. You can contact the JCC for more information by emailing them.
Thank you to all of the artists for sharing their artwork with the staff and public at HPL. Special thanks to Kelly Hausknecht and JATV Media Services for the Meet the Artist interviews that allow us to learn more about the artists, their inspirations, and their techniques.
Want to exhibit at HPL?
The library schedules exhibits and displays of interest, information, and enlightenment to the community throughout the year. Learn more about becoming a featured artist.
See our full calendar of upcoming exhibits and displays.