Public art bench created for McInnis Cement at Oak Point
Bench: 9’2” x 5’4” x 1’8”
Canopy: 7’6” x 5’6” x 6’
2019 - 2020

This work was created in conjunction with the Teen Project Studio 2.0+ program (TPS 2.0+) at Bronx River Art Center (BRAC). Commissioned to design and fabricate public benches for a new greenway in the Bronx, I participated in the program to create and bring to life an original bench design for the space.

Originally given the idea for the piano bench by GeAnne Stephen, I decided to take advantage of the form of the piano to create a spacious bench that provides a large seating area as well as shade. Oak Point, where the bench is located, is a subsection of the Hunts Point neighborhood in the South Bronx. This neighborhood has a long and intimate history with Latin Jazz. The piano form harkens back to the history of the neighborhood, evoking forgotten venues like the Hunts Point Palace where many important figures like Tito Puente performed.

Photo credit: Michele Brody