THE BALTIMORE BENCH PROJECT

  Baltimore’s benches have long been quiet witnesses to the city. They are these simple places where stories pause, strangers meet, and everyday life unfolds. The Baltimore Bench Project is a citywide art initiative dedicated to celebrating these spaces by transforming public benches into canvases that reflect the creativity, resilience, and humor of the people who sit on them.

     The goal is to beautify and re-energize Baltimore’s shared public benches through thoughtful, community-centered art. By painting and designing benches across different neighborhoods, this project seeks to connect art with locality, turning ordinary city infrastructure into points of pride, reflection, and inspiration. Each bench becomes both a seat and a story, a small reminder that public spaces belong to everyone, and that art and beauty can exist in the most everyday places.

Reimagining Baltimore’s Benches

For many Baltimoreans, the city benches are more than just places to sit—they’re quiet witnesses to our stories.

     Originally painted with Mayor Kurt Schmoke’s 1988 slogan, “The City That Reads,” the benches were part of a citywide effort to promote literacy and civic pride. Though sometimes playfully critiqued, the slogan carried a powerful message about Baltimore’s cultural spirit and its deep connection to learning, fitting for a city that built the first free public library in the nation.

  For me, these benches hold a deeply personal meaning. Growing up in East Baltimore and attending Sinclair Lane Elementary, I vividly remember participating in a reading program that rewarded kids with a free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut. After finishing enough books, my mother and I would sit together on a neighborhood bench, waiting for the 22 bus to claim my hard earned reward. That simple ritual of books, benches, buses, and pizza became a symbol of hope, creativity, and possibility.

   Decades later, those same benches still stand as quiet reminders of Baltimore’s evolving identity. I seek to revive that feeling of inspiration by transforming these public seats into vibrant canvases that reflect the city’s resilience and imagination. The project aims to blend nostalgia with creativity and bring together local artists, organizations, and residents to reintroduce beauty, pride, and community engagement into Baltimore’s shared spaces.

Bench Assessment & Preparation Plan

 The initial phase of The Baltimore Bench Project focuses on identifying, assessing, and preparing all eligible benches across the city for the proposed artistic enhancement. The goal is to ensure each bench is structurally sound, properly maintained, and ready to serve as a durable canvas for public art. Collaboration with the Baltimore Department of Transportation (DOT) will be central to this stage, ensuring that all proposed work aligns with city standards and infrastructure needs without disrupting or exasperating city DOT services.

1. Locate and Assess Benches

• I will be conducting a comprehensive survey to locate all public benches within the city limits using DOT's provided map

• Photograph each bench to document its current condition.

• Note any benches that are damaged or unsafe for public use.

2. Coordinate Repairs with DOT

• I will consult with the Department of Transportation to report benches that require maintenance or replacement.

• Determine whether DOT will issue work orders for necessary repairs or if a supplemental budget within the budget of this project should be allocated for a commercial/private contractor.

• If only a small number of benches require repair, submit work orders and include them in the project once restored or leave them simply renewed as originals.

3. Prepare Benches for Painting

• Ensure all benches designated for the project are in good, safe, sit friendly condition.

• Perform surface preparation (e.g., cleaning, sanding, priming) to create a paint ready surface.

4. Protect and Preserve Artwork After (prep)

• Research and select a high quality, all weather seal be applied after painting to protect both the artwork and the benches from weathering, ensuring long term durability and vibrancy.

Artistic Implementation

The second and main phase of The Baltimore Bench Project focuses on artist engagement and participation in their community. The selection of designs will represent the diversity and creativity of Baltimore. This stage ensures that the project remains inclusive, well documented, and accessible, both digitally and publicly.

1. Artist Application & Design Proposal

• I will develop an Artist Application Form for individual and group submissions that cover all pertinent information and releases. It will also cover the parameters for the design submission and state the rules for submissions (such as no profanity, lewd, political images, design should be timeless).

• I will add a Digital/Printable Bench Design Template for proposed artwork layouts.

• Invite submissions that celebrate community identity, creativity, and Baltimore’s cultural richness.

2. Bench Selection Platform

• I will build a dedicated application page featuring a link to the interactive DOT map and complete list of benches.

• I will create for each bench it's own individual webpage and reference number (matching the DOT map) to allow applying artists to easily reference and select locations using the DOT map

• Enable group applications (e.g., art collectives, school programs, neighborhood groups) to sign up for multiple benches or specific areas.

3. Application Requirements

• Artists and groups will indicate 1–3 preferred locations, a proposed work schedule, and an estimated duration for completion.

• Participants will be asked to confirm permission for project-related photography, video documentation, and social media coverage (beyond their personal accounts) to help promote the initiative and its impact.

4. Selection Process & Outreach

• Assemble a diverse selection panel to review proposed designs, ensuring a wide range of artistic styles and voices are represented.

• Promote the opportunity across social media, community networks, art organizations, and local media outlets to reach a broad pool of applicants and foster citywide awareness.

Execution, Documentation & Preservation

The third phase of The Baltimore Bench Project brings the project to life through the coordinated painting, protection, and promotion of each finished bench. This stage emphasizes safety, consistency, and sustainability, ensuring the project remains both visually inspiring and structurally sound for years to come.

1. Painting & On Site Coordination

 • Approved artists and groups will be scheduled for designated painting days.

• Each artist will be provided with clear site guidelines covering preparation, cleanup, permitted materials, and weather considerations.

• All paints and finishes will be outdoor safe and weather resistant, ensuring long-term color retention and bench preservation.

2. Documentation & Public Engagement

• Throughout the painting process, I will photograph and document progress of as many artists as possible, myself included.

• Short videos, time-lapse captures, and interviews may be shared via official channels to highlight community participation and local pride.

• A citywide reveal campaign will celebrate completed benches featuring a new accessible digital map, artist spotlights, and potential walking or bus tour partnerships with local organizations.

3. Finishing & Weatherproofing

• Once designs are complete, each bench will receive a professional weather-sealing finish to protect the art and wood or metal surfaces.

• DOT collaboration will ensure quality control and consistent sealing standards across all benches.

4. Long Term Care & Legacy

• Establish a maintenance plan in partnership with DOT and/or local sponsors to sustain the benches over time.

• Explore the possibility of annual refresh events, new design rounds, or neighborho

• Maintain an online archive documenting every bench’s design, artist, and location as a living record of Baltimore’s creative spirit.