Bench art a hit in Lindenhurst, Lake Villa

The Lindenhurst-Lake Villa Council organized its first public art display called Art on a Bench to promote the arts, as benches were transformed into creative places to sit and bring attention to businesses.

Sparking the idea from Antioch’s recent Dogs on the Chain display, council member Betty Burns said the council hoped to sell 20 benches to private and business sponsors.

“We ended up selling 34 benches,” Burns said. “We were pleased with the response.”

The benches, which were purchased by sponsors for $275, were built by a local Boy Scout troop. The council then recruited local artists to decorate the benches.

Todd Kurtz, who lives in Lindenhurst and operates his own mural business, said he was approached by Pat Gallagher, owner of Twisted Cow, to design benches including one to be located in the Lindenhurst ice cream shop.

The bench, titled “Twisted Cows” has received a sweet reception from his family.

“They think it’s cool to walk in and see the cow in the ice cream shop,” said Kurtz, who also designed a fire truck for sponsor American Family Insurance.

All 34 benches were displayed in the Memorial Day parade before they were distributed to the sponsors to be displayed within private homes and area businesses. A map of bench locations can be found on the council’s website, www.llvfinearts.com.

As part of the project, the council decided to allow first- through eighth-grade students to vote for their favorite bench through July.

Julie Adriansen won the honor as most creative bench for ““C’ead Mile F’ailte,” which she created for Blackthorne Grill. The title translates to “One hundred thousand welcome,” which is the restaurant’s tag line.

The lifelong Lake Villa resident said it was gratifying as an artist to receive recognition.

“That means more than anything to someone who calls themselves an artist,” she said.

Tying Adriansen for most creative bench was Patricia Gipple, who created “Mexican Tile” for Grande Jakes.

Marsha Cairo tied herself for most informative bench, designing “Dreaming with Books” at the Lake Villa District Library and “Honoring the Civil War” for the Lake Villa Historical Society.

The most colorful bench was “Water Wonderful” by Michele Van Patten-Muzones for Aqua Pool and Spa Pros. The most playful bench was “Our Future is Blooming,” created by Junior Girl Scout Troop 41450 and sponsored by Kiwanis Lindenhurst.

Edie Gogdill created the most realistic bench, “Twilight Cast Its Spell” for Northern Illinois Chiropractic. The most heartwarming bench was “Everyday Animals” by Frank Fitzgerald and sponsored by James C. Mitchell Jr. Cairo won the title as most sentimental bench for “America the Beautiful” at North Shore Trust and Savings.

All benches will be auctioned off Nov. 5 at the Antioch Golf Course. Burns said further details will be available. Proceeds will support a scholarship fund for Lakes High School students and the Lake Villa Township Food Pantry.

The artists agree taking part in the project was a great opportunity to showcase Lake Villa and hopefully will attract more visitors.

“It’s an honor to help our community try to gain some business because of this economy,” Kurtz said. “It’s nice to help others.”