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.

News 12 Staff

Nov 29, 2019, 6:17 PM

Updated 1,615 days ago

Share:

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.


More from News 12
1:19
Council members making a push for rat birth control

Council members making a push for rat birth control

2:15
Hazy and hot weather arrives Thursday before a weekend cooldown

Hazy and hot weather arrives Thursday before a weekend cooldown

1:43
NYPD: Multiple suspects wanted for string of gunpoint robberies across the Bronx, Manhattan

NYPD: Multiple suspects wanted for string of gunpoint robberies across the Bronx, Manhattan

1:30
82-unit affordable housing development coming to West Farms

82-unit affordable housing development coming to West Farms

1:47
RFK announces he has enough signatures to appear on NY ballot

RFK announces he has enough signatures to appear on NY ballot

1:41
Bronx man in custody following death of his 79-year-old mother in Concourse Village apartment

Bronx man in custody following death of his 79-year-old mother in Concourse Village apartment

1:47
City officials, drivers weigh in on potential disappearance of parking spots in Mount Hope

City officials, drivers weigh in on potential disappearance of parking spots in Mount Hope

0:34
FBI arrests Brooklyn man in Mount Vernon robbery, homicide

FBI arrests Brooklyn man in Mount Vernon robbery, homicide

2:19
Rent hikes may be coming for tenants in rent-stabilized apartments

Rent hikes may be coming for tenants in rent-stabilized apartments

2:23
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse, community advocates file over 150 lawsuits accusing staff at juvenile facilities

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse, community advocates file over 150 lawsuits accusing staff at juvenile facilities

1:33
NYPD: Man wanted for robbing Mott Haven deli at gunpoint

NYPD: Man wanted for robbing Mott Haven deli at gunpoint

1:57
Pelham Parkway dialysis center closing soon, leaving patients angered

Pelham Parkway dialysis center closing soon, leaving patients angered

2:32
Transportation Alternatives: 2024 was the deadliest start to a year since start of Vision Zero

Transportation Alternatives: 2024 was the deadliest start to a year since start of Vision Zero

1:36
Residents say they feel unsafe after bricks fell from their building

Residents say they feel unsafe after bricks fell from their building

1:28
Multiplex Cinema in Concourse Village set to close; BP Gibson says mall owners mull another theater

Multiplex Cinema in Concourse Village set to close; BP Gibson says mall owners mull another theater

1:13
Police: Wanted suspect linked to overnight shooting of teen in Claremont Park

Police: Wanted suspect linked to overnight shooting of teen in Claremont Park

0:21
Police: Newborn found dead in Melrose section of the Bronx

Police: Newborn found dead in Melrose section of the Bronx

1:51
Brooklyn animal shelter hopes to find pets forever homes on National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day

Brooklyn animal shelter hopes to find pets forever homes on National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day

1:31
Bronx mother accused of killing 6-year-old daughter appears in court

Bronx mother accused of killing 6-year-old daughter appears in court

0:28
New NYC Public Schools course will teach students about the impacts of hate crimes

New NYC Public Schools course will teach students about the impacts of hate crimes