Larry Kirkland`s “Garden Stair” was inspired by the overall theme of the Central Library as a “Garden of Knowledge with Pathways to Wisdom”. The design was influenced by William Morris` textile designs from the English Arts and Crafts Movement to complement the architecture of the Central Library. While designed in a modified Georgian Revival Style, the library was built during the same time the Arts and Crafts Movement was occurring and has many Arts and Crafts details within. The artist had the unique challenge of creating a piece of art that would meet the practical need for a new skid-proof staircase while staying true to the conceptual vocabulary of the original structure. Kirkland met the challenge well by sandblasting the design motif into black granite to create a staircase that is beautiful, practical, and timeless.
