Two Deborah Cove models like the one shown here look like an open egg-shaped canopy with a bench inside. One will be downtown and one at the Huntington City Building. The benches will be painted with artists mural designs based on a contest with the city, Lafontaine Arts Council and the city Parks Department. Details of the contest for designs were not available at press time, but artists can contact the city or LaFontaine Arts Council for further information. Photo courtesy of Huntington
Two Deborah Cove models like the one shown here look like an open egg-shaped canopy with a bench inside. One will be downtown and one at the Huntington City Building. The benches will be painted with artists mural designs based on a contest with the city, Lafontaine Arts Council and the city Parks Department. Details of the contest for designs were not available at press time, but artists can contact the city or LaFontaine Arts Council for further information. Photo courtesy of Huntington
There’s a call out to local artists to help give public space benches across Huntington and parks a unique touch, according to a recent press release from the city.

By sending an email with a design submission for consideration to the Lafontaine Arts Council starts the venture for local artists to contribute. Email lafontaineartscouncil@gmail.com.

There are expected to be 13 outdoor benches installed in Huntington. Artists submit mural designs to the LaFontaine contest for a selection process, according to the city.

“Some of the benches will be shipped ‘primed and ready’ for murals to be painted by local artists,” said Ann Richard, president of the Lafontaine Arts Council.

The 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 Huntington. Anyone interested in submitting a design for consideration should email lafontaine artscouncil@gmail.com.

The program is a combined effort of the Arts Council, the city, and Parks and Recreation department and is expected to feature areas downtown, along walking trails and in city parks.

It will now allow seating in areas not available before and replace benches that are worn out, explained Steve Yoder, Huntington Parks Superintendent.

The history element comes from the QR codes on the benches. When scanned the code is expected to lead a person to information about how the bench is made, the community, city history and about the artist who painted it. Take a photo of the code with a mobile cell phone camera, and it would link to a website with the information.

The project is funded by Canvus sponsors, Huntington and the Lafontaine Arts Council. Canvus is the company that makes the benches by repurposing retired wind turbines to furnish and transform public places and install the benches.

“All our upcycled benches, planters, and picnic sets are fully assembled, maintenance-free, and built to last 25+ years,” it states on its website.

“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,” according to the press release.

The specific models of benches shown Tuesday on the city website are eight Faye models that look like chase lounges with three installed downtown, one at the Shakespeare Gardens, two in Memorial Park trails and two at Forks of the Wabash trails.

A Deborah model that is a bench within a circle canopy will be installed at Sunken Gardens, two Willow models that look like upside down V shapes enclosing a bench, which will be installed downtown, and two Deborah Cove models, which look like an open egg-shaped canopy with a bench inside. One will be downtown and one at the Huntington City Building.
© 2024 The Herald-Press