The actions of the Kent Memorial Library Commission came to my attention starting with the March 20th Hartford Courant article regarding a proposed policy for the Kent Memorial Library. In my view, these actions essentially amount to an incremental step in banning books based on ideological content.

I encourage you to review the proposed policy here at pages 4-25. This is not a simple common-sense policy for a town of 15,000 citizens. This is a 20+ page legal document containing detailed legal citations and citations to studies and articles found by many in the scientific community to be biased of flawed. In my view as an attorney, this is a document prepared in anticipation of a legal battle about censorship - not a legitimate library policy.

I would also encourage you to review the following articles or documents related to recent developments in the administration of this library:

• Hartford Courant article regarding the cancellation of a public hearing regarding the policy following increased public interest

• ACLU letter to Library Commission

• Hartford Courant article and MSN article on the proposed policy

• CT insider article regarding the replacement of Library Commission members (February 2024)

• CT Insider article detailing the resignation of the former library director, following pressure to censor library content (October 2023)

• CT Insider article about my cancellation of this exhibit

I want to be clear that I strongly disagree with this proposed policy and the direction this represents within a public institution. Unfortunately, I had to cancel this exhibit, as the gallery would not allow the inclusion of anything political in nature or at least something indicating my presence there was in no way a support of the library administration’s actions. I am well aware that whether a display of my work is shown or not shown at this library in itself is not significant to most in the community. The gallery, while physically part of the Kent Memorial Library, is run by a volunteer and not involved in these recent efforts. In response to these issues, I have made a personal donation to the ACLU of Connecticut and if you contact me to purchase any of the works below, I will be donating 100% of those sales to the ACLU of Connecticut.

[CANCELLED]

Reframed

An art exhibition featuring found windows by Eddie Hall

March 25 - April 30, 2025

Suffield, CT – Connecticut-based artist Eddie Hall is bringing his one-of-a-kind artwork to Kent Memorial Library in Suffield for an exciting new exhibition, Reframed, running from March 25 through April 30. The exhibit will feature nearly twenty original pieces, all painted on reclaimed house windows, a distinctive and unique canvas that has been the focus of Eddie’s artwork. 

This exhibition highlights his fusion of glass painting techniques with rigid, hard-edge painting. His work explores architectural abstraction, design, and the relationship between matte painted surfaces and the transparency of glass. Drawing from over four years of experimentation, Reframed offers a bold and colorful visual experience, engaging with both the material and conceptual possibilities of its unusual medium.

An opening reception will take place on April 10 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, where Hall will discuss his work, followed by light refreshments. The exhibition is open to the public, and all are invited to attend.

The artwork will be displayed in the library’s downstairs gallery, with regular library hours of Monday-Thursday, 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday-Saturday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Eddie Hall is a self-taught artist whose work has garnered recognition across New England. He began painting eight years ago and has exhibited widely over the past four years. Hall is an active member of the Kehler Liddell Gallery in New Haven. His pieces have been shown at renowned institutions such as the New Britain Museum of American Art, Mattatuck Museum, Hill-Stead Museum, Mystic Museum of Art, and the Edward Hopper House & Museum. Currently, his artwork is also on display at the Connecticut State Capitol Building.

You can find more information and images of artwork featured in the show at www.eddiehallart.com/reframedsuf. For further information please contact: Eddie Hall at info@eddiehallart.com

** Special Event ** Thursday April 10, 6-8pm

Join artist Eddie Hall for an art reception celebrating the exhibit “Reframed”. The evening will include a talk by the artist and light refreshments.