Just because it's a bench doesn't mean you can sit on it

Who pays people money to design beautiful benches that people can't sit on? Starbucks, that's who. 'Benches at Bumbershoot' is "an exhibit of artistic park benches created by local artisans located in the Northwest Courtyard, along with an auction to raise funds to support neighborhood park projects", sponsored by Starbucks as part of their Starbucks Neighborhood Parks Program. The benches are quite attractive, but don't try to sit on them. Seattlest saw one tired gentleman nicely asked to remove his derriere from the art by one of the show volunteers.

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By Beth Quittman in Arts & Events on September 3, 2006 11:15 AM

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ace

Actually, the money from the sale of the benches goes to public parks. The benches themselves will more than likely end up in someone's garden or office. As a local skateboarder and someone who helped build one of those benches, the last part of that comment hurts a little! Most skaters i know would never hit a bench like that, no mattter where it was (the handrail outside starbucks is an entirely different story... but what's a little scuffed paint?).

Tria

The pictured bench is gorgeous, but it would never last on a public sidewalk. It might last a week before the seating area were broken by kids jumping their skateboards on and off it.