Wild Imaginings by Maryland sculptor Bart Walter was commissioned by The Friends of The Monmouth County Library. Bart sculpted the piece in his studio in Westminster, Maryland using reference he had attained from his many trips to the Maasai Mara in Kenya where he drew, sculpted and observed lions in the wild.

    For centuries and across many cultures, sculpture has depicted lions as the appointed guardians of public spaces. The lions which flank the entrance of The New York Public Library for example, have become the iconic symbols of that institution. However, lions have historically been shown as fierce gatekeepers. It is my wish to engage the imagination in considering the lion in a manner more in keeping with children's literature. The lion for the Eastern Branch Library is both a powerful protector and a comforting companion.    Bart Walter