May 5th, 2009
At last! The entire reason for making the bench came to fruition this day when the makers of the tiles and their cohorts boarded buses for a science lesson and craft project at the Preserve of Monte Sano. The children gravitated first to the bench on the way to the trail head, then to Princess Okilanna, Little Big Dog. Cathie Mayne of the Trust welcomed the children and helped them visualize the size of the preserve . She assured them that recent rains would offer inspiring views. The science teacher aid reminded the 4th graders of their objective: leaf classification and off we went while the 5th graders made fabric leaves in the pavilion.
It was obvious that few of these children had been on any trail: a passing fly made the girls scream!
We scrambled over a fallen log, admired the rushing water under the bridge, and sloshed through low spots on the trail. A few co-leaders emerged among the few panicked girls and a worried boys. Twenty minutes later, I heard sincere delight in “This is awesome! and a breathless “Look! The city!” through a clearing and finally “Look at me–I’m all muddy!” One or two asked ’so when is lunch?” Quieter thinkers asked “How do you learn the names of the trees? and “What’s a railroad bed?”
After the lunch break, the 5th graders hit the trails and Okie and I hit the road.
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February 24th, 2009
Frances and I went to Chapman Elementary today to meet with the young people who painted the tiles, Huntsville Land Trust folks, teachers and others to celebrate the unveiling of the bench before it was taken to its new home on Huntsville Land Trust property. Its home will be on the way to the pavilion and near the junction of several trails. The bench with its beautiful tiles will be the start of many great adventures into the trails.
Thank you to all who made this happen, it touched a lot of lives and over the many years of use it will touch many more.
Here is a map with Chapman School, Land Trust Parking (off Bankhead Parkway) and most importantly the Chapman Bench.
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February 18th, 2009
We are delighted with the location for the bench. Thank you Andy, for suggesting that the Chapman Bench be installed in this clearing. It is not far from the pavilion where there are several tables lined up; a great spot for a larger group. This will be a great spot for a small group or a single person to enjoy.
Thank you A&M students and staff for affixing the tiles to the bench….maybe the last tile was applied at the moment that Andy and Scott shook hands on this site!
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January 22nd, 2009
Last night, we saw the decorated tiles for the first time when we met to arrange them on the bench. It was great to see how creative the children are: the images of things with wings are so uplifting and such very good work. We are thrilled to be closer to fruition of our vision for the finished object in an inspiring setting. Jennie described her reaction to seeing tiles for several benches after firing in a kiln. Hear her words in this short video clip from last night:
Chapman
Bench Video
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January 13th, 2009
Sponsors Scott and Frances Akridge are looking forward to seeing the bench with tiles by Chapman Elementary students, when it is installed on a Land Trust hiking trail.
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January 1st, 2009
Tiles painted by students of Randolph School will be assembled on their school’s bench and completed in early 2009.
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January 1st, 2009
Sponsored by Athens State University, tiles for another bench are being painted by students of Creekside Elementary. Bench will be completed and installed at Athens State in early 2009.
Lesson plans for the benches are developed by AL A&M University Art Education graduate students.
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January 1st, 2009
Our first bench was completed in May 2008. It leads the way for many other collaborative creative efforts to beautify our city.
Waiting for beautiful, colorful tiles
Sponsored by Alpha Omega Alpha Fraternity at AL A&M University. Tiles painted by Mastin Lake Elementary School students. Bench is located on campus of AL A&M University.
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July 6th, 2008
Great news from Jennie-the 5th check arrived on Friday! That is a nice number. Ponder “Five”. Yes, it feels good. We can declare the project is born.
Masoltov, blessings, & congratulations to Diane, Jennie, Curt, and the other members of the Student Outreach committee of the Alabama Clay Conference! By the spring of 2009, the participants of the Clay Conference will be able to visit several benches, and additional benches will be seen in Huntsville as the year progresses.
One fraternity saw the value in sponsoring the collaboration between a sponsor, elementary school students and college art education students. Certainly more fraternities will follow suit. The project has a good foundation. There are at least 10 teachers at 10 different schools who will be thrilled to see the bench come into fruition next year. Jennie and art education students at A&M, and elementary school art classes will be BUSY!
Will a train deliver the first order of benches??? Let’s have a parade!
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June 29th, 2008
When is a project ”born”? Perhaps it was born when Diane moved to Huntsville as a new bride with a twinkle in her eyes, wondering if art and engineering can co-exist in the same town. Perhaps the project was born when she fondly recalled her fathers’ design of a community center that included a tiled wall.
No matter how we define its gestation period, the project is growing quickly!
The Bench Project was conceived this year within the circle of planning the upcoming Alabama Clay Conference when Diane met Jennie. The zygote of an idea landed among the Student Outreach Committee. Nourished by thoughts about collaboration between college students, public schools and the community, the project took shape. Now, one bench, several meetings, many emails, and 3 checks later….the Bench Project is…is….
If it isn’t born yet, we plan ahead. The Project will need a type of “Social Security Number” so that all benefactors will be able to find it and “invest” in its future. It will need “godparents” named to look after it if something happens to its “biological parents”. It will need… everything that a “new business” has to succeed. Thank goodness for the combined talents of self-employed artists, business owners, engineers, and educators who will nurture the young thing to maturity. Get ready Huntsville!
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