Original Coverage & Source Attribution: www.weho.org
The City of West Hollywood is pleased to present Banned Books: The Handmaid’s Tale, a new sculptural artwork by Los Angeles-based artist A. Laura Brody. This commissioned sculpture is from the artist’s series, which focuses on characters from books that have been banned at numerous school and libraries throughout the United States. The exhibition is free to visit during regular library hours and will remain on view in the front window at West Hollywood Library, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard, until late June 2027. An artist’s reception is planned for Friday, October 16, 2026 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The reception will also honor Bird Circuit 90069 by artist Vojislav Radovanović. RSVPs for this combined exhibit reception are requested via Eventbrite.
Currently there are determined efforts to ban and censor books and educational materials across the country. Denying real history, eliminating access to differing viewpoints, and banning works that do not fit into a fundamentalist belief system causes both immediate harm and damage over time. In the long term, individuals will not get access to alternative ideas about how the world and its people operate. This project is an opportunity to celebrate the banned books and introduce library goers to their characters in an unexpected way.
The City of West Hollywood has long championed the fundamental right to freedom of speech, affirming its commitment to open dialogue, diverse perspectives, and unfettered access to factual information. In honor of Banned Books Week 2026, October 4-10, the LA County Library’s West Hollywood branch is showcasing a special display highlighting books that have been challenged or banned across the country, inviting the community to explore stories that spark critical thinking and celebrate the power of literature. This new sculpture and banned book display reflects the City’s dedication to protecting intellectual freedom and ensuring that all voices – especially those historically silenced – remain accessible to residents, community members, readers, and future generations.
A. Laura Brody is a sculptor, speaker, curator, activist, and the founder of Opulent Mobility, a series of exhibits that re-imagine disability as opulent and powerful. In 2023, Brody was awarded a California Arts Council Individual Artists Fellowship for her art and curatorial work and a grant from Ability Central to further the accessibility of her exhibits and programming. Since 2023, her curatorial work has grown to include Enter the Goddesses, Wearable Art, and Diverse/City exhibitions. Her artwork has been shown at a variety of galleries and museums; more biographical information about the artist can be found at www.weho.org/arts. Photos of the Banned Books: The Handmaid’s Tale sculpture can be found on the City’s official Flickr account.
The City of West Hollywood’s Arts Division delivers a broad array of arts programs including Art on the Outside (temporary public art), City Poet Laureate, Drag Laureate, Free Theatre in the Parks, Arts Grants, Library Exhibits, National Poetry Month, Summer Sounds + Winter Sounds, Urban Art (permanent public art), the WeHo Pride Arts Festival, and WeHo Reads. For more information about City of West Hollywood arts programming, please visit www.weho.org/arts.
For additional information about temporary library exhibitions, please visit www.weho.org/community/arts-and-culture/visual-arts/library-exhibitions.
For more information, please contact Mike Che, the City of West Hollywood’s Arts Coordinator, at (323) 848-6377 or at [email protected]. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing dial 711 or 1-800-735-2929 (TTY) or 1-800-735-2922 (voice) for California Relay Service (CRS) assistance.
For up-to-date information about City of West Hollywood news and events, follow @wehocity on social media, sign-up for news updates at www.weho.org/email, and visit the City’s calendar of meetings and events at www.weho.org/calendar. Receive text updates by texting “WeHo” to (323) 848-5000. Read feature articles about people, places, and City events at www.helloweho.com. City programs and services information is available at www.weho.org.
For reporters and members of the media seeking additional information about the City of West Hollywood, please contact the City of West Hollywood’s Public Information Officer, Sheri A. Lunn, at (323) 848-6391 or [email protected].
