Posted Friday, January 19, 2024.
Upcycled Benches Will Be a Blank Canvas for Local Artists
HUNTINGTON – Local artists will be called on this year to help give public spaces across the community a uniquely Huntington touch.
The project will see 13 outdoor benches – eight of which will begin as blank canvases for artists to bring to life – installed around Huntington. It also combines local history with an element of sustainability and a focus on promoting walkability in key recreational areas and retail districts.
“It is very exciting to present this new product to community members. These will provide some seating in areas that we haven’t had before and replace some benches that were becoming unsafe due to rust and cracking,” Parks Superintendent Steve Yoder said. “I also love the QR code option on each bench that will not only explain how the bench is made but also highlight things going on in our amazing community."
The plan is a partnership between Huntington Parks & Recreation, the Lafontaine Arts Council and Canvus, a company that repurposes retired wind turbines to furnish and transform public places.
Canvus’s outdoor benches will be installed in several locations downtown, along walking trails and in city parks. Each bench’s QR code can be scanned to instantly connect with community information and Huntington history.
Three of the 13 benches were already installed early in January along Jefferson Street, with two at opposite sides of the Market Street intersection and another at the Franklin Street intersection. One bench has also been placed in the pergola at Memorial Park’s Shakespeare Gardens.
“The remaining benches will be installed throughout 2024,” Lafontaine Arts Council President Ann Richard said. “Some of the benches will be shipped ‘primed and ready’ for murals to be painted by local artists.”
The Lafontaine Arts Council will announce a selection process in which local artists can submit their original designs for consideration. This contest will be open to all participants, and winning artists will receive a stipend for their work, paid for by the LAC and a grant from the City of Huntington. Anyone interested in submitting a design for consideration should contact the LAC at lafontaineartscouncil@gmail.com.
"We are excited to bring functional art to the Huntington community, providing a canvas for local artists to create unique works of art," said Ryan Funk, Managing Director of Sales for Canvus. "The QR plaque on each bench will also offer a cool new way for the city to connect with citizens and visitors, sharing community information, the city's history and the story of the artists who painted it."
Generous sponsors working with Canvus funded the majority of this project, which was also funded in part by the City of Huntington and the Lafontaine Arts Council.
Eight “Faye” models will be installed:
- 3 downtown
- 1 at Shakespeare Gardens
- 2 along Memorial Park trails
- 2 along Forks of the Wabash trails
One “Deborah” model will be installed at Sunken Gardens.
Two “Willow” models will be installed downtown.
Two “Deborah Cove” models will be installed:
- 1 downtown
- 1 at the Huntington City Building
About the Lafontaine Arts Council: The Lafontaine Arts Council seeks to promote and present the arts to the entire community with a special emphasis on providing yearly in-school arts in education programming for all Huntington County students. The Council is dedicated to continuing to offer culturally rich and artistic opportunities important to the quality of life in Huntington County. Learn more at www.lafontaineartscouncil.org.
About Canvus: Canvus creates functional art that inspires people and brings communities together. Canvus upcycles retired wind turbine blades and other recycled materials at scale into benches, tables, and planters for cities, parks, and schools. The Canvus Request Program allows companies with a commitment to renewable energy to make a positive impact in public spaces by donating sustainable furniture to communities across the U.S. Learn more at www.gocanvus.com.