Benches on the Avenue

Are you an artist looking to flex your creative muscle on a fun project that thousands of people will see? If so, the Village of Tinley Park has just the opportunity for you!

The Village is looking for artists to create unique, kid- and family-friendly designs for the 2023 Benches on the Avenue public art program, which will run from May to October along Oak Park Avenue in Downtown Tinley. Portrayals should be vibrant, colorful and include some degree of three-dimensional art. Anyone with an imagination and artistic creativity can submit a design.

The 2023 Benches on the Avenue will be themed “Industry, Invention and Progress” and will showcase groundbreaking creations that have made a mark on the world and changed the way we live. Each handcrafted wooden bench will be sponsored by a local business or individual, who will take possession of it at the end of the season.

To submit a design, just fill out the application form and send it no later than Jan. 20, 2023 to koswald@tinleypark.org. Forms also can be dropped off at Tinley Park Village Hall, 16250 S. Oak Park Ave.

For more details, please see the 2023 Benches on the Avenue Call to Artists form.

The Village announced the winners of its 2022 Benches on the Avenue public art program, including:

 

• Best Portrayal of Theme: Nick and Jennifer Schulien (The Dog Walker's Day Off)
• Most Creative: Cody Heiden and Juan Lopez (Welcome to Borneo)
• Best 3D Bench: Tim O'Brien (Wednesday's Morning)
• Best Use of Materials: Dante DiBartolo, Allen Jebens, Tom Liston, Bob Renaud, Terry Nugent and Neal Keselica (Coral Reef: Colorful Ocean Home)
• Best Individual Artist: Nicole Simpson (I Like Birds)
• Best Group/Family Project: Angela Simpson and Mike Schultz and family (It Came from the Sea)
• Best New Artist: Tinley Park Public Library Teens (Woodland Reading Adventure)
• Judges' Choice: Samantha Cook and Marty Rose (Savannah Cats)

Many thanks to this year's Benches on the Avenue judges, which included Mary Kay Campbell (Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce), Deacon Ed Pluchar (St. Julie's Church), Sherrie Ordaz (previous Benches artist), Carol Friel (Memorial School) and Lisa Molloy (Crisis Center for South Suburbia).

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Brochures

Brochures from each year of the "Benches on the Avenue" program include:

• "Animal Adventure" (2022)
• "Album Cover Tour" (2021)
• "Around the World" (2020)
• "Prized Page Turners" (2019)
• "Treasured Family Musicals" (2018)
• "The Power of Music" (2017)
  
• "Once Upon a Time" (2016)
  
• "Heroes and Villains" (2015)
  
• "Let the Games Begin!" (2014)
  
• "Fairy Tale Festival" (2013)
  
• "The Magic of Music" (2012)
  
• "America the Beautiful" (2011)
  
• "When I Grow Up" (2010)
  
• "Classic TV" (2009)
  
• "A World of Travel Adventures" (2008)
  
• "Toyland" (2007)
  
• "Favorite Children's Storybooks" (2006)
  
• "Hooray for Hollywood!" (2005)
• "Benches on the Avenue" (2004)