Prolific creator of West Plains murals Dr. Bolaji Ogunwo recently unveiled his latest painting, "Let There Be Light," at the West Plains Public Library and was presented with a proclamation from West Plains Mayor Mike Topliff for his contributions to the community and library.
Ogunwo's works may also be seen locally inside the Lincoln School on Pony Thomas Street and Christos House on Jefferson Avenue, and on outer walls in Luyster Arcade, south of 14 Court Square.
In addition to the proclamation from the mayor, Ogunwo was given a lifetime membership as a friend of the library and a book, "African Art Now: 50 Pioneers Defining African Art for the Twenty-First Century,” will be placed in the library's collection in his honor.
The painting will have a permanent home in the library as a testament to the power of knowledge and the light it brings to those who embrace it, library representatives said. It depicts children climbing a stack of books and connects to the recent total solar eclipse with an image of the sun's light emerging from darkness as the line of people climbing the stacks walk towards it.
Library staff also thanked Crockett and Tonya Oaks, Explore West Plains and the City of West Plains for coordinating the painting, unveiled the morning of the April 8 eclipse.
