Browse the Benches

	Title: Eastside, Westside, All Around the Town Artist: Nick Schulien Location: Zabrocki Plaza, South Side Sponsor: Apple Chevrolet Description: Nick is a retired art teacher and 50-year resident of Tinley Park who enjoys contributing to Benches on the Avenue. He captured the many, lively sights and sounds of New York from Ellis Island to Wall Street in this spectacular bench.
	Title: Jurassic Park Artist: Nick Schulien, Jen Lilly, Roger Gerencir Location: Zabrocki Plaza, North Side Sponsor: Bettenhausen Dodge Description: The artists imagined traveling back into time to see animals as big as houses moving among the trees in one of the greatest adventures ever. This bench represents a group effort by three artists who have participated in this project for several years.
	Title: Native America Artist: Jennifer Lilly Location: 17313 S. Oak Park Avenue Sponsor: Tinley Park So. Condominium Association Description: This bench is overflowing with history and tradition in a glimpse back to Native America. Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family and fellow bench artists while working on creations for Benches on the Avenue.
	Title: International Delights Artist: Robert Gors Location: 17255 S. Oak Park Avenue Sponsor: Nick’s Barbecue Description: A variety of sights and costumes native to each region provide this bench with an international flair. Robert lives in Palos Heights and is a self-taught artist who uses bold colors for his caricatures and sharp lines for solitary scenes.
	Title: St. Petersburg, Russia Artist: Jaclyn Robbins Location: 17225 S. Oak Park Avenue Sponsor: Cardinal Fitness/Donlin Builders Description: Mountains and hot air balloons provide the background for The Church of Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg, Russia. The artist is a Columbia College graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree and currently resides in Tinley Park.
	Title: Relax Down Under Artist: John and Scott Fleming Location: 17217 S. Oak Park Avenue Sponsor: Law Office of Arthur Pierce Description: A living coral reef featuring hidden passages and colorful aquatic life was created by these former Tinley Park residents. John lives in Bolingbrook and Scott in DeKalb. These brothers are second-year bench artists.
	Title: Magical Place Artist: Val Fischer Location: 17236 S. Oak Park Avenue Sponsor: Gatto’s Restaurant and Bar Description: Cinderella’s castle at Disney’s Magic Kingdom has been the destination for many memorable vacations for young and old alike. This 30-year resident of Tinley Park has three grown children who would love to go back to visit the Magic Kingdom.
	Title: “Bienvenue a` Paris” Artist: Lisa Hanna Akroush Location: 17244 S. Oak Park Avenue Sponsor: First Midwest Bank Description: The artist welcomes you to Paris, the City of Love, with this realistic yet whimsical bench. Lisa is a 26-year old Tinley Park resident who received her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts and Minor in Art History from Columbia College.
	Title: Regal Rushmore Artist: Lefie Lindokken Location: 17256 S. Oak Park Avenue Sponsor: Crossmark Printing, Inc. Description: Spend time in South Dakota with Mount Rushmore, an amazing work of art. This monumental sculpture, created from nature, represents United States history. Lefie, a sophomore at Tinley Park High School, has participated for five years in “Benches on the Avenue”.
	Title: Cruisin’ For Memories Artist: South Side Brushes Location: 17314 Oak Park Avenue Sponsor: Tinley Park Park District Description: Travel to a far-away island beach while cruisin’ for memories among the white sands and swaying palm trees. First year bench artists, these talented ladies are members of South Side Brushes, a local chapter of the Society of Decorative Painters.
	Title: Gone Fishin’ Artist: John & Scott Fleming Location: 17326 Oak Park Avenue Sponsor: Ed & Joe’s Restaurant Description: Sand, driftwood and aquatic plants transform this bench into a quiet day on the water waiting for the Big One. John and Scott are brothers who grew up in Tinley Park and who enjoy painting murals, and printing and web design.
	Title: “Queen of the Adriatic” Artist: Marty Rose & Don Zak Location: 17332 S. Oak Park Avenue Sponsor: Comfort Suites – Tinley Park Description: Visit romantic Italy as Venice comes to Oak Park Avenue. Enjoy the “City of Water” glowing with lights while sitting upon a gondola. Marty and Don have collaborated on the “Benches on the Avenue” for the past three years and have dedicated this bench to their wives, Melissa and Dorothy.
	Title: Egyptian Wonders Artist: Jennifer Lilly Location: Oak Park Avenue & Hickory Street Sponsor: Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce Description: A wonderful “travel treasure” can be found in the rich history of Egypt’s pyramids and the discovery of King Tut’s Tomb. Created by Jennifer Lilly, this third-year bench artist enjoys challenging her artistic abilities.
	Title: Jewel of the Avenue Artist: Sandra Gross/Russell Kurtz Location: 17424 Oak Park Avenue Sponsor: Elite Construction Co. Description: This cruise ship with deck chairs portrays a relaxing vacation on the high seas. Sandra is a Tinley Park resident and second year bench artist. Russell is a master carpenter who can make anything out of wood come alive.
	Title: Stuffed with Memories Artist: South Side Brushes Location: 17432 S. Oak Park Avenue Sponsor: Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center Description: Memories and bits and pieces from a Caribbean vacation are stuffed inside this colorful bench which was created by a group of artists from a local chapter of the Society of Decorative Painters. This bench represents their first contribution to the Benches their first contribution to the Benches on the Avenue.
	Title: World of Imagination Artist: Val Fischer Location: 17500 Oak Park Avenue Sponsor: Plass Appliance Description: The artist created an image of Epcot Center because it has examples of many lands as well as the world of the past and future. Val is a self-employed artist who has participated in Benches on the Avenue for four years.
	Title: Fun in the Sun Artist: Morgan Kelly Location: 17514 S. Oak Park Avenue Sponsor: Aero Rubber Company Description: Palm trees, sailboats, and beach toys bring back memories of summers in the sun. This is Morgan’s second year as a “Benches on the Avenue” artist. An extremely talented 12 year old, she attends Century Jr. High School.
	Title: Paris Artist: Roger Gerencir Location: 17501 Oak Park Avenue Sponsor: Carol’s Travel Service Description: The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame are some of the historic monuments of the City of Paris depicted in this colorful bench. Roger is a retired art teacher born and raised in Joliet, Illinois.
	Title: “My Kind of Town” Artist: Nancy Malis Bare Location: 6779 West 174th Place Sponsor: James B. Carroll & Associates Description: This bench captures the diversity and dynamics of Chicago and was inspired by the artist’s great love for “The City of Big Shoulders”. Nancy resides in Tinley Park and owns a successful home decorating business.
	Title: Alaska Adventure Artist: Roger Gerencir Location: 17401 Oak Park Avenue Sponsor: Robinson Engineering/Klein Thorpe & Jenkins Description: The wonders of Alaska, from Glacier Bay to Denali National Park are depicted on this creative bench. Roger is a graduate of Illinois State University and National Louis University, and a retired art teacher.
	Title: Old Cape Cod Artist: Nick Schulien Location: Oak Park Avenue & South Street Sponsor: Pondman Description: The peaceful sounds of the sea, roaring waves, sea gulls and the glow of the lighthouse create a relaxing experience on Cape Cod. Nick has been a bench artist for four years and does his best to please his greatest critics - his four grandchildren.