Teen artists design benches overlooking East River

A group of teens and young adults based in the Bronx are creating three public works of art overlooking the East River.

After a rigorous application process, the team of five high school and college-aged artists from the Bronx River Art Center's Teen Project Studio + 2.0 program were commissioned by McInnis Cement to design three benches that reflect the different qualities of the Bronx.

Their teachers say the process has already taught them so much about what it means to be a professional artist.

"I think it's really valuable for them to understand that they can actually create something, imagine something and have it made," said Art Jones, program facilitator.

The project is called Comfort in Concrete.

One bench is named the Pebble Bench, using colors from the rocks surrounding this new open space, another is called the Loveseat Bench, which will be the colors of the Bronx flag, and the last one is called the Piano Bench and will pay tribute to the musical contributions of the borough.

The volunteers also learned how to budget their money so they can hire a contractor and make money off the commission too. The executive director of the Bronx River Art Center said they expected to make $21,000 in the project.

Those who participated are between the ages of 14 and 26.

News 12 is told that the team aims to have the benches ready to sit on by spring 2020.