Painted Benches
I created this painted bench in 2022 as part of “Sit and Soar,” a public art project of Newton Community Pride. My design is inspired by the words “creating with the community makes my spirit soar.” As a community artist, muralist, and art therapist I am energized by engaging others in the artistic process and helping others realize that they are artists too. I painted this bench with the help of 20+ passersby in June 2022, each contributing their (newly discovered) talents to the community via their participation. The design is embedded with many layers of meaning-it includes my style of highlighting natural wood grain patterns in the background and a zentangle (doodling) technique that I utilize as a part of the therapeutic art workshops I’ve been offering to caregivers during the pandemic. The words on the back “art is for sharing… and so is this bench” encourages people to enjoy time spent together. The design itself utilizes yellows and blues present in the Ukrainian flag, and can be seen as both a rising sun and a sunflower- offering hope of a new day to those in Ukraine. I’m so pleased to share that after being on display through the summer, my bench has found a new local home where it will be enjoyed for many years to come.
