Takoma Park Plays the Blues with new public art seats installed at the Takoma Park Gazebo, the City’s favorite outdoor spot for musical performances and community gatherings. These seats, called Blues Benches, are part of a public art project commissioned by the Old Takoma Business Association/Main Street Takoma using a grant from the State of Maryland and created by artist Howard Connelly Design.
Working with a small volunteer group, the Old Takoma Business Association/Main Street Takoma came up with design themes which were presented to Connelly who creatively interpreted and provided sketches on which the community voted. Connelly then designed and fabricated these music-themed benches using over 1,000 pounds of steel at his Silver Spring studio. The design incorporates musical references including the treble clef, bass clef and musical notes on a staff. Upon completion, the benches were professionally galvanized and powder-coated a bright blue ensuring many years of community enjoyment. A small crane was required to install these substantial pieces of functional art.
Connelly has been a longtime favorite Takoma Park artist. He participated in Main Street Takoma’s reCYCLE Please Sit on the Art project for 5 years – his motorcycle sculpture remains popping a wheelie in front of Republic at 6939 Laurel Ave. In addition, he was commissioned by the City of Takoma Park to create the Azalea Sculpture in 2014 which greets visitors entering Takoma Park at Piney Branch and Flower Avenues and collaborated on Bird Calls, an interactive sculpture at Erie and Flower Avenues, Takoma Park.
Blues Benches
located at the Takoma Park Gazebo, 7035 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park
http://www.mainstreettakoma.
http://www.
Check out another recent public art project in Takoma: https://takomaparkmd.