2023 Benches on the Avenue
Industry, Invention, and Progress
Take an afternoon and visit the 2023 Benches on the Avenue, “Industry, Invention, and Progress,” showcasing moments and inventions that have changed our lives in some way. Starting at Zabrocki Plaza, follow the map north down Oak Park Avenue.
Many thanks to the following contributors, without whose help this project would not have happened:
• Our generous sponsors for their financial support of this project
• Each and every artist who generously shares his or her time, incredible talent and creativity with the residents and visitors to the village
• John Kasman and Bev Schatte of Aero Rubber Company, Inc. for donating warehouse space to house the benches
The Need for Spray Paint
Created by Gabby Ciuteikis and Jacob DiazSponsored by Republic Bank
This bench depicts the evolution of spray paint, highlighting a few of the main original brands with a Tinley Park twist! The artists use different spray paint techniques in the background and a few silhouettes of empty spray cans throughout the bench.
About the artists: Gabby and Jacob create uplifting and playful art, combining different mediums such as spray paint and colored pencils. Gabby blends elements found in nature, juxtaposing patterns, texture and colors. Jacob brings an illustrative style with organic forms and crisp outlines.
Let’s-a-Go!
Created by Matt Olson
Sponsored by Arsenal Hair Salon
Bright paint and plywood are featured on this bench, which celebrates the artist’s all-time favorite video game, “Super Mario Bros.” The artist was fascinated by how the character of Mario has evolved yet remained relevant as the technology, artistry and gaming industry progressed.
About the artist: Matt is a self-taught, freelance artist who enjoys creating murals, portraits, graphics and custom art, mostly of musicians, athletes and pop culture icons.
Spaceflight
Created by: Dante DiBartolo, Allen Jebens, Tom Liston, Bob Renaud, Neal Keselica and Terry Nugent
Sponsored by Christopher B. Burke Engineering, LTD.
This bench presents the early days of the space program, showcasing the different craft used in spaceflight. It’s made of carved wood and painted plywood panels.
About the artists: Dante is a freelance painter and sculptor; Allen is a retired educator; Tom is a retired chemist and amateur woodworker; Bob is a retired environmental engineer and amateur woodworker; Neal is a train dispatcher; and Terry is a retired stationary engineer.
It Takes a Village
Created by Nick and Jennifer Schulien
Sponsored by International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers - Local 9
This bench represents the progress and change made in the railroad industry over the last 150 years. The bench is constructed of metal, plywood and plastic.
About the artists: Father/daughter team Nick and Jennifer are longtime residents of Tinley Park. Both have art degrees and are always up for a creative challenge! They’ve done nearly 90 ‘Benches’ between them since the program started!
There Must be a Better Way: A Celebration of Infomercials
Created by Dana LaCoco and Laura Popovics with support from Frank LaCoco
Sponsored by Odyssey Fun World
This bench features painted panels depicting infomercial inventions while also incorporating bold, eye-catching colors inspired by TV test sequences. The planter boxes are styled to looks like TV sets, and the infomercial phrases are on the sides of the planters.
About the artists: Dana loves crafts, cats, trashy TV and reading comics. Laura has built a career in education and knowledge of the TV show “90 Day Fiancé,” but dabbles in artistic mediums like pottery, jewelry making and mosaics. Both women live in Tinley Park.
The Pop-Up Toaster
Created by Tinley Park Public Libray Teens
Sponsored by Friends of the Tinley Park Public Library
This bench is a tribute to the pop-up toaster, a household kitchen appliance that created a much more convenient way for us to evenly toast our bread. Invited by Charles Strite in 1921 for commercial use, it wasn’t until 1925 that the Waters Genter Company introduced the first model to households. Three years later, sliced bread was invented, and we’ve never looked back! The bench is made primarily of plywood and acrylic paint.
About the artists: Talented local teens gathered at Tinley Park Public Library to paint collaboratively. Young Adult librarian Clarice Pelczarski created the design and supervised the painting. The carpentry and engineering elements were constructed by Tinley Park Public Library facilities manager Bob Serafino.
Community Connections
Created by The Painted Turtle
Sponsored by CCC Holdings Inc.
This bench demonstrates how Chicago connects with the surrounding suburbs and location communities. It also acknowledges change and progress, displaying images of homes with solar panels, the use of solar windmills, waterways and efficient lighting.
About the artists: The Painted Turtle artists come from various backgrounds and artistic styles. The Painted Turtle is a CTF Illinois day program for people with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities.
Home Sweet Home
Created by The Hayes Family
Sponsored by Architectural Resource Corporation
This bench is split in two to show the amazing progress society has made with home building materials. One half is made to look like a log cabin with wood and some stone, and the other half uses brick face to emulate the look of brick and cement.
About the artists: Kyle and Ashley Hayes are a very creative couple who love to use their unique talents and amateur woodworking skills to make gifts for friends and family. They said they were very excited to make something useful for the entire community.
Connection
Created by Angela Marquez
Sponsored by Tinley Park - Park District
This bench is made with acrylic paint and depicts how communication between people has evolved over the years, with a focus on the digital realm. The artist wanted to focus on color and style.
About the artist: Angela is a recent graduate of Saint Xavier University and received her Bachelor’s Degree in graphic design. She has always been passionate about creating traditional art, which she makes in her free time while she works as a marketing assistant for the Tinley Park Park District.
The Printing Press
Created by Jaclyn Reidy
Sponsored by The Odyssey
This bench features Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press, the invention of which led to the rapid production of books. Against the backrest of the bench is a cutout of the original printing press machine, and the background depicts a library of books. There are also a stack of books next to the machine.
About the artist: Jaclyn Reidy is an artist in Orland Park. This is Jaclyn’s fourth year participating the Benches on the Avenue. While working full time at Amazon, she pursues art on the side, primarily painting and drawing.
Call Me Maybe
Created by Emma KresalSponsored by Marquette Bank
This bench uses real phones, acrylic paint and light-up WiFi symbols to show the progression of cellphones over the years. Each phone is encased in Plexiglass cases that look like cellular bars, and the seat includes logos from different phone companies.
About the artist: Emma is a past ‘Benches’ and ‘Musical Chairs’ artist who earned a Bachelor’s Degree in graphic design from Illinois State University. She’s a nail technician who loves to showcase her artistic talents for Tinley Park.
Ice Cream is Worth Melting For
Created by Delaney and Kathleen DillonSponsored by Ed & Joe’s Pizza
This bench depicts the evolution of the ice cream truck and is built with plywood, fabric, foam, paint and Plexiglass. Also featured are all the ice cream places around Tinley Park such as Dairy Palace and the Scoop!
About the artists: Sisters Delaney and Kathleen have been collaborating on the ‘Benches’ program for years. Both are juniors at Andrew High School. Delaney runs cross country and plays badminton, and Kathleen runs cross country and loves volleyball.
Evolution of Music
Created by Grissom Middle School Art Club
Sponsored by Aero Rubber Company
This bench was created with wood and acrylic paint and encompass music through the years, from analog recordings such as vinyl records and cassette tapes, all the way to digital mediums such as compact discs, mp3s and streaming services. It’s been a wild ride, but no matter how you decide to listen to your music, the song remains the same!
About the artists: The Grissom Middle School Art Club is comprised of students in sixth through eighth grades who are aspiring to let their creativity shine.
The Benches on the Avenue program began in 2004. Since it started, the program has featured the work of hundreds of local artists and has become one of the Village’s most popular attractions, drawing thousands of residents and visitors annually to Downtown Tinley.
Artwork is based on a different theme each year, and each bench is sponsored by a local business or individual.
