St. Croix 360

River stories to inspire stewardship.

  • Share News
  • Event Calendar
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Support

New Art Bench To Be Unveiled In Osceola

Community art project explores how the St. Croix helps bring people together.

By St. Croix 360 | September 3, 2014 | 2 minute read

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
  • More
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • Telegram

Via the Art Bench Trail, a St. Croix 360 partner:

Osceola Art Bench participants

Osceola Art Bench participants (Greg Seitz)

The eighth bench on the St. Croix River Valley Art Bench Trail will be unveiled on Saturday, September 6, at 1:00 p.m. in Mill Pond Park in Osceola, Wisconsin. This unveiling will take place as part of Osceola Community Days and the annual Wheels and Wings event. A craft fair with food vendors will be in Mill Pond Park that day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Under the leadership of artist David Markson and Osceola teacher Amy Klein, twelve 3rd through 8th grade students designed this bench during a four-week summer school class organized around the question, “How was the river shaped and how has the river shaped us?” They met face-to-face with National Park Rangers, citizens concerned about the preservation of natural habitats, the village administrator, local businessmen, and volunteer historians.

About the process, Klein writes, “Part research, part adventure, the group trekked to the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and Standing Cedars Community Land Conservancy to find out about the land before the village of Osceola existed. They learned of past industries via the Osceola Historical Society and toured Bending Branches as an example of modern industry. Working side by side with artists at Franconia Sculpture Park, students were profoundly impacted by the power of imagination. Canoeing a section of the St. Croix, they felt the peace and wonder of the very waterway that inspired the community of Osceola…The group concluded the message of the bench should be “togetherness” – an expression of collective effort, appreciation and hope for the future of their community.”

Using studio space at the St. Croix ArtBarn to build parts of the bench that could easily be transported, and with guidance from J & S General Contracting, they built the bench late in the summer using rocks, concrete, recycled lumber, railroad ties, metal rods, and found objects. They chose to place it in Mill Pond Park because it is the center of town where many people would have access to it, and they located it next to the creek so people who sat there would, as one student said, “be able to listen to the birds and quietly think, away from the man-made things of downtown.”

For further information, contact Anastasia Shartin, visual arts director, at 715.386.2305, ext. 103.

Related articles:

Follow

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Features

Replacing damaged dam will restore fish habitat and a popular lake

Starstruck: Communities seek to keep night skies dark above the St. Croix River

From parks to pigs: The 10 most popular St. Croix 360 posts of 2020

St. Croix 360 is now 100% supported by readers.

Click here to contribute →

 

Latest News

Minnesota DNR seeks input on potential waterfowl hunting changes

Speakers will discuss racial justice topics in St. Croix Valley

New St. Croix River boat ramp to open next year

Stillwater “Fat Bike Rally” will offer competition on St. Croix Loop Trail

Hudson art center hosts 50th anniversary exhibit to celebrate Afton nature preserve

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

About

St. Croix 360 builds support for river stewardship, and connects people and organizations. It is an independent news source produced by Greg Seitz, with past support from the St. Croix River Association.

Donate to St. Croix 360 today »

Story of 360

One of the biggest challenges facing the St. Croix River is harmful blooms of algae in in the lower river, due to excess nutrients in runoff. The goal is to restore the river by reducing phosphorus levels to 360 tons/year. Learn more »

Share Your News

St. Croix 360 is powered by a broad community of St. Croix River-loving people. Please visit our submission page to send tips, press releases, and other news.

Submit an Event

Lower St. Croix: St. Croix 360 partners with online calendar St. Croix Splash.

  • Submit your events to Splash.
  • Share it with St. Croix 360 for promotion.

For events elsewhere in the watershed, contact St. Croix 360 directly.

St. Croix 360 Syndication

To help increase awareness of the St. Croix River, news organizations and other outlets are free to share St. Croix 360 content, as long as you follow a few simple rules.

Republish St. Croix 360 stories »

Partners

  • St. Croix River Association
  • St. Croix Watershed Research Station
  • ArtReach St. Croix
  • You and all St. Croix 360's readers!
Handcrafted in May Township, Minnesota. Please contribute today »
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.