Courtesy of Susan Jennings

Madeline Wiener's stone sculpture, "Storytime Mother," in Doyle Park, San Diego.

Courtesy of Dialog Gallery

"Birth of Sorts," by Beck Berrett.

Denver artist Madeline Wiener has been chosen to build a $60,000 outdoor sculpture for the remodeled Gainsboro Branch Library.

Wiener, whose stone sculptures invite human interaction and can be used as benches, was picked for the project by a committee that included representatives of the library and the Gainsboro community, public art coordinator Susan Jennings said. More than 80 artists from across the country had applied.

Wiener's sculpture, to be called "Reading Garden," will be purchased with money from the city's Percent for Art fund, which sets aside a percentage of the capital projects budget for public art. The sculpture received final approval from the city council on May 4.

Jennings said the selection panel picked Wiener because her sculptures seemed a good fit for the library site, and because after viewing her other pieces, they felt anyone could relate to them. "Kids climb on them and love them," Jennings said.

The panel was also "impressed with her plans for engaging the community in the process," she said. Roanoke residents will be invited to do the finish sanding on the limestone sculpture following its installation at the end of October.

The selection follows last October's unveiling of "In My Hands," a stainless steel sculpture by Baltimore's Rodney Carroll, at the Roanoke Civic Center. "In My Hands" was the first major work purchased with Percent for Art funds.

Moving Dialog

A year ago, artist Ed Dolinger was hard at work preparing a new art gallery next to the old Cotton Mill building on Sixth Street, near Jefferson Center.

The gallery, to be named Dialog, was intended "to not duplicate whatever's being done elsewhere. ... It's what we ain't seen," Dolinger said at the time. He also said it "isn't profit-driven at all. I feel like it's a work of art."

Fast forward 12 months, and Dialog is a reality -- but it isn't where Dolinger thought it was going to be. Dialog is now located on Kirk Avenue downtown, where it adds to a flurry of gallery openings and other arts and cultural activities in the neighborhood in recent months.

"It's been a long, interesting journey," said Dolinger, who teaches art at Hollins University. Dolinger said he had to abandon his original plan when the developers who are turning the Cotton Mill into living spaces decided they needed his gallery-in-progress for an office.

He said developer Ed Walker has provided him with gallery space at 18 Kirk Ave. instead, near Signature 9 Gallery and the Kirk Avenue Music Hall. "We basically traded properties," he said.

"There are some pluses and minuses" to the new space, Dolinger said. "This gallery is a little bit smaller. But it's a much more presentable space," complete with skylights and 12-foot ceilings. "As far as visibility, it's much better."

The gallery had a show in November, then went dark before opening for keeps late in January. Its current exhibit includes works by Dolinger, David Garrat and Brian Counihan. A new exhibit by Brooklyn mixed media artist Beck Berrett opens Friday night.

"I think what Ed's trying to do is bring in people who are looking for art that's happening right now," gallery assistant Meaghan Devlin said.

Friday's opening is from 6 to 9 p.m. and is open to all. Also starting on Friday, the gallery's normal hours are from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information call Dolinger at 540 460-9968 or visit Dialog's Facebook page.

Sleeping Beauty

UNA Dance Theatre and Virginia Ballet Academy will present Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "The Sleeping Beauty" at 1:30 and 6 p.m. Sunday, May 31, at Shaftman Performance Hall. Tickets are $12 to $25. Call 387-4422 or e-mail info@vaballetacademy.com.

Artist fundraiser

Gillie's Restaurant in Blacksburg will hold an art auction at 5 p.m. today to raise money for artist Ella Watson, who has a congenital liver condition.

There will be a silent auction with food donated by Gillie's and live music. All proceeds will go to Watson and her family.

Theater auditions

Gamut Theatre will hold auditions for "Vintage Durang" at 2 p.m. today and 7 p.m. Monday at Jefferson Center. Roles are available for five to seven people, male or female, who are 18 or older. Wear comfortable clothing. Monologues are not required.

For more information e-mail gamut@cox.net, or call Jayne Brill at 765-7574 or Miriam Frazier at 380-3168.