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tinleyjunction.com Life & Arts
the tinley junction | January 25, 2018 | 25
Oak Park Benches on the Avenue returns for 15th season
Artist applications
due no later than
Feb. 2
Cody Mroczka, Editor
Official Guidelines via Village of Tinley Park:
• The artist may paint, sculpt, transform or adorn the
bench, but may not compromise its structural integrity
and functionality. The seating area of the bench must
remain clear of decoration except for paint in order
to retain its usefulness. The benches will be placed
in areas fully accessible to the public. In creating a
design, please consider carefully the weather and
other elements of nature, including sun, rain, wind and
dirt.
• Designs should be created with durability and public
safety in mind. If you are adding height to your bench,
please ensure that it is stable and will not tip over.
Although objects may be attached to the benches,
they should be very sturdy as vandalism could occur.
Any object added to a bench should be attached in
such a way that it cannot be easily removed. Designs
that are religious, political or sexual in nature will not
be accepted. Additionally, neither corporate logos nor
advertising is allowed.
• The artist must prime and putty the entire bench
before painting. Any raw edges, especially the top edge
of the seat back must be finished with an outdoor
spackling paste or wood putty and then exterior water
based primer. (Suggested primers are Kilzor Zinzer.)
• Acrylic paint can be used to paint or spray a design
on the bench. All surfaces (front, back and sides) of the
bench and planters must be decorated. To complete
the artwork, each bench must be finished with three
(3) coats of varnish. An exterior grade sealer that is
non-reactive, not-toxic, UV-resistant and waterproof is
strongly recommended. (Polycrylic by Minwax is sold in
a satin, semi-gloss and gloss finish.).
• Remember, this is an outdoor bench, so it must
be finished appropriately. The flowerpots should be
decorated and remain unattached so they can be
transported to their location, filled and then attached.
Artists will not be responsible for installation or
removal of finished benches at the selected locations.
One of Tinley Park’s favorite
traditions returns this
May for its 15th season.
The Village of Tinley
Park’s annual call to amateur
and professional artists
is drawing to a close for
Benches on the Avenue with
this year’s chosen theme of
“Treasured Family Musicals.”
Artists of all degrees and
experience are encouraged
to submit two designs that
will be become the art base
for each handcrafted wooden
bench sponsored by local
individuals and businesses.
The six-foot benches are on
display from May to October
along Oak Park Avenue
in Tinley Park’s downtown
district where each year tens
of thousands of residents
and neighboring communities
visit to take in the colorful
and exotic designs.
“We are looking for exciting,
imaginative, threedimensional
designs depicting
some of the most classic
musicals of both stage and
screen,” the Village’s Marketing
Department said in a
press release. “Anyone with
imagination and a bit of artistic
creativity can be part
of Benches on the Avenue.”
Additionally, a plaque
with the artist and sponsor’s
names will be attached
to the event while all the
benches are recognized in
the annual walking tour
brochure, available this
summer. An application and
design form are available
on the Village’s website and
selected artists will receive
$400 for supplies, including
a chance to win one of
several awards based on
various criteria such as Best
First-Time Participant and
Judge’s Choice. A minimum
of two benches must qualify
per category in order for a
prize to be awarded. All artists
will be featured on the
Village’s website with a biography
and accompanying
image.
Entries must be postmarked
no later than Feb. 2,
2018 or can be dropped off
at the Tinley Park Village
Hall. Artists whose designs
have been selected will be
notified by Feb. 23 with
an artist meeting planned
for Feb. 28. Benches will
be available for pick up on
March 1 at which point the
selected artists will work on
the project from their home
or studio before the benches
This bench titled “Tinleyopoly” was part of the 2014 “Let the Games Begin” Benches
on the Avenue public art project. Tinley Park is now accepting applicants for next year’s
program. 22nd Century Media File Photos
A previous submission in the 2015 Benches on The Avenue themed “Heroes and Villians.”
are due back by May 4. An
awards presentation and
meet the artists night is also
planned with a scheduled
date to be determined.
The 2017 season, titled
“The Power of Music,” saw
nearly two dozen benches
entered into the competition
that was judged by
Patty Ridings (Tinley Park
Chamber of Commerce),
Joanne Konrath (Tinley
Park Public Library), Greg
Carter (Tinley Park Park
District), Mary Elizabeth
Mucci (Mucci World) and
Adam Pries (Tinley Park
High School). Six different
artists or groups won a total
of the seven awards.
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