City Of Highwood And Midwest Artist Initiative Launch Benchmark 2: 20 Decorated Outdoor Benches Designed By Local Artists To Go On Display Throughout Highwood
HIGHWOOD, IL (JUNE 18, 2016) - The Midwest Artist Initiative is proud to partner with the City of Highwood to launch Benchmark 2 - the second public art installation of decorated outdoor benches on display throughout the City of Highwood, indefinitely. Twenty new benches, designed by local artists, will be unveiled to the public on Saturday, June 18th from 5-8:30 p.m. at 3 Barrels Studios, home to Midwest Artist Initiative, inside the Highwood Metra Station. Some of the benches will find their permanent homes on the streets and parks of Highwood, while the others will be auctioned off Sunday, October 9th at the 8th annual Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival to benefit Make-A-Wish® Illinois.
"We have a wonderful community that appreciates art," says Kevin Loesch, owner of Highwood's
3 Barrels Studios and co-founder of Midwest Artist Initiative. "As a resident and artist, it is my pleasure to bring more art installations to the streets and parks of my home town, Highwood."
The new decorated pieces will replace the weathered benches from the first Benchmark event initiated in 2002 by local Highwood businessmen, Joe Davis of Street Level Studios and Lenny Innocenzi of Buffo's. The initial artistic program ran for two years and created great communal spaces for visitors and residents of Highwood to enjoy.
"It was time to replace the old benches that had worn from the elements, and now that Midwest Artist Initiative found their home in Highwood, it is the perfect opportunity to partner with them and revive our artistic Benchmark program," says Highwood Mayor Charlie Pecaro.
A public call-out to artists in April brought more than 40 submissions. A panel of judges from the City of Highwood, Celebrate Highwood and the Midwest Artist Initiative selected 17 unique designs, leaving three to be decorated by "Future Artists of Highwood" from Oak Terrace School, Northwood Junior High School and Highland Park Montessori Connection.
The June 18th unveiling event will feature all 20 decorated benches on display and a 'meet & greet' with the artists with an art show displaying additional pieces from the artists. Admission is free and open to all ages!
The City of Highwood's Appearance Review Committee will select those benches they feel are a good fit for the various locations throughout the City, with final installation before Pumpkin Fest.
ABOUT THE MIDWEST ARTIST INITIATIVE
Founded by Highwood residents and brothers Kevin and Tim Loesch, and Joel Morgan of Hydra Electric Tattoo, The Midwest Artist Initiative is an artist collective based in Highwood, IL. The 'art for charity,' not-for-profit organization is 179 members strong and growing and has multiple showings annually. The Midwest Artist Initiative works with charities to create themed art shows often hosted throughout the Chicagoland area. For more information, please visit http://3barrelsstudios.com and https://www.facebook.com/midwestartistinitiative/ .
Tel: 847.780.4482.