Benches will installed the week of August 4, 2008

Artist-decorated benches are being placed around downtown Olympia. The five colorful benches, each conceptualized and painted by a different local artist, are designed to brighten up downtown, delighting pedestrians, passers-by, and those who wish to get off their feet for a few minutes.

Artists Shaw Osha, Kristine Sogn, Christopher Gerber, Dana Squires, and Vince Ryland were commissioned by the PBIA (The Parking and Business Improvement Area) Advisory Board, with approval from the Olympia City Council.

The artists selected proposed "terrific designs, showing their unique talents and diverse approaches," said David Rauh, who coordinated the project for the PBIA. "All of them are different and each will truly enhance the environment it's placed in. It's all part of making downtown more user-friendly."

The first five benches are located in front of Capitol Playhouse, Last Word Books (both on 4th Avenue), the Capitol Theater on 5th Avenue near Washington SE, Starbucks on Legion near Capitol Way, and Heritage Bank on Legion near Columbia.

"I'm really excited to see these first benches on the street" said Rauh. "Now I can't wait to do another round and get five more artist-enhanced benches on the street. Eventually, I'd like all the benches in downtown to be decorated. It would look spectacular!"

We’ll be unveiling the benches during the upcoming First Friday on August 1st starting at 5pm.
Drop by, meet the artists and see the awesome benches in the parking lot of einmaleins and Mixx 96.1 (corner of State Ave. and Washington St. )
Refreshments will be provided by Clubside Café.

Exciting! The benches are installed!

Take a look at them, before and after and be sure to come downtown and see them for yourself.

We'll soon post a walking map of all the benches around town!


Download the official Press Release here.