In 1958 national competitions were held for designs for a wall mural and sculpture to embellish the exterior of the new Centennial Hall. These were won by Victorian artist Lindsay Edward for his glass mosaic mural, and Brisbane sculptor Leonard George Shillam. Shillam's aluminium sculpture 'Enlightenment' showed three symbolic figures reaching towards the rays of the sun, representing 'the dissemination of enlightenment to mankind - the function of a library as an instrument of enlightenment'. It was cast by the Non-Ferrous Foundry of Brisbane.