ELLSWORTH – Ellsworth Public Library patrons will have a surprise when they walk through the library’s front doors. “Eggspert,” a sculpture by Kimber Fiebiger, will be there to greet them between the two curving stairways.

Ellsworth Public Library Director Tiffany Meyer said during a discussion of landscaping options last fall, the idea of a sculpture in this space was raised.

“Brian Pieper of Rockworks Landscaping had a particular piece in mind,” Meyer said at the unveiling Thursday, May 4. “That led to field measurements, communications with Red Wing Arts about the sculpture, discussions with the library board about cost and concept, discussions with the Friends of the Library board about memorial funds, connecting with manufacturers for the pedestal, and reaching out to our architect and construction manager about floor load and the sprinkler system.”

The Ellsworth Library Board and Friends of the Library agreed the sculpture was a great idea. Friends board member Beth Kidd made the delivery and Pieper lined up a welder. On May 3, Pieper and Rick Kaplin arrived at the library with a one-ton pedestal and put it into place with relative ease, Meyer said.
“But it was obvious that a lot of forethought had gone into planning the installation,” Meyer said.

“Then Zach Miller arrived to weld the sculpture base to the pedestal plate under a plastic canopy.”

By the time Meyer returned to work May 4, the plate had been given a fresh coat of paint and the sculpture was ready the big reveal. A title and memorial plaque will be added in the near future.

Fiebiger creates bronze sculptures that range from fun and whimsical to classical and contemporary. She lives in Minneapolis, Meyer said, yet her sculptures have been sold all over the US and Canada. Fiebiger has been exhibiting in art shows around the country for over 40 years and has won numerous awards for her art.

“Besides being a fabulous sculptor, Kimber has created a home/gallery/studio that has been described as having the artful complexity of Spanish designer Antoni Gaudi combined with the surreal nature of Pablo Picasso,” according to artbykimber.com

Fiebiger states on the Art Around the Corner Foundation website: “I’ve been creating unique Humpty Dumpty sculptures for over 30 years, using the ancient art form of transforming a clay sculpture into a work of bronze. My Humpty Dumpty statues are fun, whimsical, and created in positions that illustrate movement. Their jovial and joyful expressions are a direct representation of my dedication to make people smile.”

“Eggspert” was part of the 2022 Red Wing Art Walk before making its way to the library.