CofS Parks and Recreation Bench Design Contest

Southport's Park and Recreation Committee had two beautiful unfinished park benches that they had an open mural design contest to complete. Artists were allowed to submit as many designs as they like. We announced the winners at the Southport Street Fair of 2011. The top two winners painted their own benches. Park Bench dimensions are 71”Length x 19”Width x 34”Height and are completely covered with the beautiful murals. Benches can be seen currently in the Southport Community Room at the Park during regular business hours and the 1st Thursday of the month at the SoArt meeting at 6:30pm.

Sorry, the contest is closed for now

A BIG SoART Thank You to Porter Paints and the Southport Parks and Recreation Department for supporting the 2011 Park Bench Design Contest!!!

A word from artist, Lizzy Flanigan:

I enjoyed painting the bench, slightly difficult, but worth it. I enjoyed it very much. I felt like I have just taken the first big step in my artistic background.

Also, what I was saying about the Cherry Blossom design on the bench. I was truly shocked that the judges picked that design because I had made that design for my grandfather which was buried with him. The meaning of that design is "New Life" a new start, a fresh step or purity because the flowers on the tree are blooming as they normally do in the spring time. It was amazed at first that I even won and truly amazed when I saw that image was the winning design because it was like my grandfather was telling me; "An artist is who you are meant to be."  He passed away in 2008 but when he was alive, he was ALWAYS bragging about my artwork to others who lived on his street.

The original image that was buried with him wasn't detailed, just simple (like the duplicates I have made) but enough to tell what it is. I had the idea to include that image because it meant something to me. I cried tears of joy when I found out that image was picked. I am happy that I can honor him through a simple painting for everyone to enjoy!!! I wanted to thank you and everyone who was involved in the whole SoArt Bench Mural Contest!!!!

I have been painting for 7 years now. I learned on my own and never went to any art classes or schools for it (yet) and just recently started some freelance work about 3 months ago.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

It has meant a LOT to me!

Best Regards,

Lizzy