The Milford Arts Council has extended the deadline for its state-funded arts project, “Meet Me at the Bench,” until March 13.
The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Office of the Arts awarded the MAC one of only 28 project grants for 2020. These grants encourage and support arts-based projects exhibiting artistic excellence aligned with the state arts initiative.
The MAC’s project calls for creatives, artists, and craftsmen to create and install six unique benches reimagined as artistic and community experiences throughout downtown Milford. The project is open to any and all participants, including engineers, architects, woodworkers, metal-forgers, tile-layers, masons, craftsmen and artisans.
A committee of local artists, city representatives, downtown businesses, and service organizations will review submissions and match them to sites. Six locations have been suggested for the benches.
The committee members include state Sen. James Maroney; Milford alderman Bryan Anderson; Milford Public Library director Christine Angeli; Beth-El Center executive director Jennifer Paradis; Tracy Bonosconi, owner of LOVET Shop and Downtown Milford Business Association chair; Carol Kuryla, Metro Star marketing director; Nell Moll of the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce; Curran Bishop, pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church; Bill Bevan, parks commissioner; local artist and muralist Brec Morgan; George Amato, local artist and founding MAC board member; and MAC Executive Director and “Meet Me at the Bench” project manager Paige Miglio.
Installations by the city will take place during the summer and early fall of 2020. Projects must be designed to withstand the elements and public use for at least 3-5 years, with little or no maintenance.
For more information, visit milfordarts.org.
