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SARANAC LAKE — The village of Saranac Lake Arts and Culture Advisory Board aims to continue its “Adopt-a-Bench” project in downtown Saranac Lake next summer by adding more benches to the program.
Over the past couple of years, SLACAB has been working in collaboration with the village to bring public art to the community.
The “Adopt-a-Bench” project invited local artists to submit their creative designs to be painted on wooden benches throughout the Village. These benches have been selected by a committee consisting of SLACAB members, community representatives and sponsors. Funding for these stipends was provided by project sponsors.
Kathy Ford, a SLACAB board member, expressed her excitement about the project.
“As an artist myself, I am inspired by how much our ‘decidedly different’ community embraces public art that stimulates the imagination, enhances our environment, encourages people to pay attention, and spreads joy,” Ford said in a statement. “Every time I walk or drive by one of our colorful benches, murals, or unique art installations, it makes me smile. I hope it does for others as well. Public art not only improves the image of our community, it helps to identify Saranac Lake as an arts and culture destination.”
To date, four benches have served as canvases for these works of art. The first bench, in Riverside Park, was designed by Matt Hudson and sponsored by SLACAB. This summer, three more benches came to life:
¯ Artist Jordyn Sharpe adopted the bench in Kenneth P. Garwood Park, sponsored by Big Bang Boom;
¯ Artist Peter Avery Bird adopted the bench on Broadway in front of the Adirondack Center for Writing, sponsored by ACW;
¯ Artist Julia Fatato, along with a few ArtRise students, adopted the bench, sponsored by the Harris family in memory of Robert Joseph Frank, in front of PlayADK.
Artists are committed to maintaining their bench art for two years, and SLACAB looks forward to adding more colorful benches to Saranac Lake next summer. This project stands as one of the many public art initiatives undertaken by SLACAB, including the mural beside Ward Plumadore Park, “rain poetry,” projection art in Riverside Park, and most recently the sculptures along Lake Flower Drive.
For further information about the Adopt-a-Bench project or the Saranac Lake Arts and Culture Advisory Board, contact Village Clerk Amanda Hopf at [email protected].