2024 Benches on the Avenue brochure

2024 Benches on the Avenue SATURDAY MORNING CARTOONS

Magic 9

Meep Meep

DuckTales … Woo Hoo

I Yam What I Yam

Cowabunga!

Alvin and the Chipmunks: On Stage

Looney Tunes Reunion

Having Fun Isn’t Hard When You’ve Got a Library Card

Crusin’ with the Flintstones

Saturday Morning Cartoon Mashup!

Mum! Dad! Bingo! BLUEY!

His Friends Call Him TC

Imaginaaaaation

He-Man, She-Ra and the Masters of the Universe

Homer Simpson

Hidden in the Hedges

Peanuts: Good Grief

Cartoon Network Nostalgia

I Love Saturday!

The Pink Panther

It’s a Smurfy Life … Knowledge Is Power!

Smarter Than the Average Bear I’m Batman

Gumby: Jammin’ in Tinley Park

Friends Forever

Many thanks to the following contributors, whose participation contributed to the success of this project:

» 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

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Created by Emma Kresal

Magic 9

Sponsored by R. DiFoggio & Sam Plumbing & Sewer Co.

Revisit the wacky world of “The Fairly OddParents” in his colorful bench that pays tribute to the classic Nickelodeon show. The bench features 3D depictions of 10-year-old Timmy Turner and his two fairy godparents, Cosmo and Wanda. The bench is made of plywood and acrylic paint, with glow-in-the-dark stars along the planter boxes and the seat.

About the Artist: Emma has participated in Benches on the Avenue for three years. She attended Illinois State University for graphic design and currently works as a graphic designer and for Nicole Richards Salon and Spa as a nail technician.

Created by Jennifer Schulien

Sponsored by Century 21 Circle / McCatty Real Estate

No matter how hard he tries, Wile E. Coyote just can’t seem to nab the Road Runner in this homage to the classic Looney Tunes cartoon characters! Despite his repeated failures, though, Wile just never gives up. The bench is made with plywood, paint, cotton batting, fake fur and other unique items.

About the Artist: This is Jennifer’s 19th year participating in the Benches on the Avenue program. She said it’s a challenge to find different, creative ways to make a bench unique after so many years, but she always finds a way!

Meep Meep

DuckTales … Woo Hoo

Created by Delaney & Kathleen Dillon Sponsored by Dillon Brothers Inc.

Life is like a hurricane … here in Tinley Park! Based on the timeless ‘80s cartoon “Ducktales,” this bench features series regulars such as Scrooge McDuck, Magica De Spell, Flintheart Glomgold, the Beagle Brothers and, of course, Huey, Dewey, and Louie! This bench was constructed using acrylic paint and plywood.

About the Artists: Twin sisters Delaney and Kathleen, both seniors at Andrew High School, have participated in the Benches program for several years. Kathleen is planning to attend Central Michigan University in the fall and loves coaching volleyball and playing badminton. Delaney is planning to attend Western Michigan University, and she loves running cross country and badminton.

I Yam What I Yam

Created by Nick Schulien Sponsored by The Dairy Palace

Grab a can of spinach and get ready to take an excursion with Olive Oyl, Sweet Pea, Wimpy, Bluto, Eugene the Jeep, Poopdeck Pappy and, of course, Popeye! This bench depicts all of your favorite “Popeye” characters taking to the high seas on Popeye’s boat, the S.S. Spinach. The artist used found objects, cloth, plywood and other unique materials to construct the bench.

About the Artist: Nick is a retired high school art teacher who has been working and creating benches for more than 20 years. He has lived in Tinley Park for more than 70 years.

Created by Cody Heiden

Sponsored

by Arsenal Hair Salon

Jump into the world of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with Michelangelo, Leonardo, Donatello and Raphael! Using plywood, paint, lumber, scrap metal, a real truck bumper and scrap ATV parts, the bench recreates the iconic TMNT Party Wagon toy to make it seem as if it was driving right out of the TV and into the heart of Downtown Tinley. Grab a slice of pizza and sit down for a ride on the Party Wagon!

About the Artist: Born and raised in the south suburbs, Cody has always had a passion for art and design. With his second Benches on the Avenue submission this year, Cody hopes to inspire people to get creative and express themselves.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: On Stage

Created by Eric Schaaf Sponsored by Construction Concepts of Illinois

Alvin, Simon, and Theodore take the stage in this homage to the three musical brothers who just so happen to also be chipmunks! The front is made from separate wood cutouts, and the lights, speakers and records are repurposed. The Chipettes – Brittany, Jeanette, and Eleanor – also make an appearance on the back of the bench, and visitors can pretend to be manager/father Dave Seville thanks to a face cutout!

About the Artist: Eric is 17 and has become a skilled woodworker. He’s created multiple character cutouts and a life-sized sleigh for Christmas, and used those skills to create this, his very first entry in the Benches on the Avenue program.

Cowabunga!

Created

Looney Tunes Reunion

by Jodi and Jay Klusacek & Family

Having Fun Isn’t Hard When You’ve Got a Library Card

Created by Tinley Park Public Library Teens, Clarice Pelczarski, Zach Musil, Matt Morrison & Bob Serafino

Sponsored by Friends of the Tinley Park Public Library

This bench is an ode to everyone’s favorite animated aardvark, Arthur! The show was based on the books by Marc Brown and ran for 25 seasons, making it the longest-running animated children’s TV series in history. One of the most iconic moments of the show featured a song called “Library Card” in which the cast performs the song. The bench was made using wood, acrylic paint, wood stain, and varnish.

About the Artists: Local teens in sixth through 12th grades gathered at Tinley Park Public Library to pain the bench. Adult librarian Clarice Pelczarski created the design and supervised the painting. The carpentry elements were constructed by library facilities manager Bob Serafino.

Crusin’ with the Flintstones

Created by Dana LaCoco, Frank LaCoco & Laura Popovics

Sponsored

by Aero Rubber Company

This bench depicts the Flintstones and Rubble families out for a drive in the iconic Flintstone car. The characters are painted on wood and mounted to the bench back. The planters form the wheels and have 3D elements built from wood and epoxy to make them look like stone. The canopy is all-weather fabric supported by PV pipes painted to look like wood.

About the Artists: Donna, Frank and Laura are excited to team up for another year of Benches on the Avenue. When they’re not collaborating on a bench, Dana paints pet portraits, Frank is an avid pickleballer, and Laura creates glass mosaics.

Saturday Morning Cartoon Mashup!

Created by Rick, Lucas & Ella Villareal

Sponsored by International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers - Local 9

Everyone loves a good cartoon, and this bench has a ton of them! Sit down next to Wile E. Coyote, Rocky and Bullwinkle, Johnny Bravo, Dexter, Tom and Jerry, the Flintstones, and Woody Woodpecker this summer. The bench is constructed from nails, wood, paint – and plenty of creativity!

About the Artists: Rick is an artist for ESPN and owns and operates Ricasso Artworks Tattoo Studio in Blue Island. His son Lucas, 10, loves to draw and create. Ella, 9, also likes to draw.

Mum! Dad! Bingo! BLUEY!

Created by Caroline Lilly, Nick Zavala & Katie Zavala Created by Caroline Lilly, Nick Zavala & Katie Zavala

His Friends Call Him TC

Created by Tim O’Brien, Samantha Cook & Marty Rose

Imaginaaaaation

Created by Kyle Hayes & Ashley Matejka

Sponsored

by Odyssey Country Club

This bench depicts a very popular episode of the classic cartoon “Spongebob Squarepants” featuring perhaps the most famous yellow sponge of all time using his imagination! Swing by Bikini Bottom and hang out with Spongebob, Patrick, Squidward, Mr. Krabs and Sandy.

About the Artists: Kyle and Ashley are the loving parents of Lylah and Malcolm. This is the second year that they’ve contributed to the Benches on the Avenue program. They are a crafty family that loves to make something both useful and beautiful for the community.

He-Man, She-Ra and the Masters of the Universe

Created by Dante DiBartolo, Robert Renaud, et. al

Sponsored

by Christopher B. Burke Engineering, LTD

This bench shows twins He-Man and She-Ra with the villain Skeletor standing next to Castle Greyskull in tribute to the classic “Masters of the Universe” cartoon series. In the background are the hero’s steeds, Battle Cat and Swift Wind. The bench is constructed of wood and plywood panels with painted details. By the power of Greyskull, come see this bench!

About the Artists: Dante DiBartolo is a freelance painter/sculptor; Allen Jebens is a retired educator; Tom Liston is a retired chemist/ amateur woodworker; Bob Renauld is a retired environmental engineer/amateur woodworker; Neal Keselica is a train dispatcher; and Terry Nugent is a retired stationary engineer.

Homer Simpson Hidden in the Hedges

Created by Amanda Martinez & Jose Martinez Sponsored by Scott’s Custom Decks

This bench depicts a classic scene (and later famous internet meme) of Homer Simpson slowly disappearing into a bush. Other characters from the iconic “Simpsons” family also appear, including Bart, Maggie, Lisa and the family’s two pets, Snowball and Santa’s Little Helper.

About the Artists: Amanda works as an urban planner and helps guide villages in the Will County area to include art in their communities. Her father, Jose is a self-employed artist with a portfolio of large- and small-scale murals around Chicago, and has other commissioned art pieces. This is their first bench.

Peanuts: Good Grief

Created by Angela Marquez

Sponsored by The Tinley Park Park District

This bench pays tribute to the Peanuts gang by showing Snoopy and Woodstock having their imagination take flight while Charlie Brown and Linus fly their kite – right into a tree! Characters are cut from plywood to give them a 3D effect, then painted with acrylic paint.

About the Artist: Angela is a traditional artist who enjoys the challenges of 3D art. With a degree in graphic design from Saint Xavier University, she works as a marketing assistant for the Tinley Park Park District. This is her second year participating in the Benches program.

Created by Hannah Cobb Sponsored by Hobby Town

Cartoon Network Nostalgia

This bench pays tribute to Cartoon Network and many of the shows that made it a household name, such as “Courage the Cowardly Dog,” “The Powerpuff Girls,” “Adventure Time,” “Regular Show,” “Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends,” “The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy” and “The Amazing World of Gumball,” among others.

About the Artist: Hannah is a versatile artist skilled in both traditional and digital mediums. Her artistic journey is a colorful one, spanning various techniques and tools. Her passion for expression knows no bounds.

I Love Saturday!

Created by Tim O’Brien, Samantha Cook & Marty Rose Sponsored by Brandy Maloney

Everyone’s favorite cat-and-mouse team is back to cause trouble in Downtown Tinley! Based on the long-running cartoon series “Tom and Jerry,” which has been making generations laugh out loud since 1940, this bench is constructed using mostly plywood, layered for depth, as well as acrylic paints.

About the Artists: Tim is a semi-retired carpenter and tattoo artist. Samantha uses a wide variety of mediums in her creative processes. Marty enjoys art as a hobby, creating both visual and literary compositions.

Created by Nick Schulien Sponsored by Midwest CPR Center

The Pink Panther

This bench shows the Pink Panther and many of the characters who appeared over the years to help him solve mysteries, including the Inspector, the Ant and the Aardvark. “The Pink Panther Show” ran from 1969 to 1978 and was based on the animated character from the opening credits of the live-action films.

About the Artist: Nick is a retired high school art teacher who has been working and creating benches for more than 20 years. He has lived in Tinley Park for more than 70 years.

It’s a Smurfy Life …

Created by Jennifer Kurek

Sponsored

by Panduit

This bench is a glimpse into the blue-tiful world of “The Smurfs,” a 1980s cartoon series that emerged from a comic created by Peyo. The bench showcases several popular Smurfs and their sworn enemy, Gargamel, who was custom cut to add height while overlooking the Smurfs he intends to capture. The bench is made with wood, glue, screws, nails, paint and varnish.

About the Artist: Jennifer is a traditional artist that earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the International Academy. She has been creating art since a young age and still enjoys learning and experimenting with new mediums and styles.

Created by Laura Garrity and the Grissom Bench Club

Sponsored by International Brotherhood of Electrical WorkersLocal 9

This toe-tapping bench pays tribute to the classic cartoon series “Schoolhouse Rock,” which ran from 1973 to 2009 and used music as a springboard to teach children about topics ranging from grammar, science and economics to history, mathematics and civics. The bench is made with plywood cut-outs and acrylic paint.

About the Artists: Led by longtime Benches on the Avenue artist and beloved art teacher Laura Garrity, the Grissom Bench Club consists of sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students at Grissom Middle School.

Smarter Than the Average Bear

Created by Amy Frale & Carla Zidek Sponsored by CNB Bank & Trust

This bench shows Yogi Bear doing what he does best … trying to steal a picnic basket with his buddy Boo-Boo in Jellystone Park while Ranger Smith looks on in anger! The bench is constructed with wood, metal, screening, plastic food, concrete, PVC piping and paint.

About the Artists: Amy and Carla are longtime residents of Tinley Park and well as friends and coworkers at Millennium Elementary School. Amy is an art teacher, and Carla is a technology aide. This is their fourth Bench.

Knowledge Is Power!

Created by Tom Keenan Sponsored by Odyssey Fun World

I’m Batman

The Caped Crusader has left the streets of Gotham to watch over Oak Park Avenue in a bench that pays homage to “Batman: The Animated Series” from the 1990s. This bench is made from acrylic paint, plywood, variegated gold foil leaf, stamps and more. Rest easy, Tinley Park – Batman is here to keep the bad guys at bay!

About the Artist: Tom is a primarily self-taught artist and has been painting on and off for 25 years. He uses prayer and meditation to help produce his art. He has paintings for sale at Pekoe and Bean in Tinley Park.

Gumby: Jammin’ in Tinley Park

Created by Sheila O. Brown & Oscar Brown

Sponsored

by Delta Sonic

Since his debut in 1953, Gumby has been a cultural icon and a famous example of stop motion clay animation. This bench depicts him playing guitar while his friend Pokey dances to the sound. The characters were built of wood and attached to the bench, extending beyond the back to create a 3D look. The guitar is studded to create a little bling!

About the Artists: Sheila and Oscar are a husband and wife team. Sheila is a recently retired nurse who enjoys acrylic and oil painting and participating in local art fairs, and Oscar is in law enforcement and like doing woodwork in his spare time.

Created by Jackie Perell & Girl Scout Troop 65142 Sponsored

by

Joyful Smiles Pediatric Dentistry

This bench depicts characters from the classic comic strip “Calvin and Hobbs.” The bench also serves as a poignant tribute to local student Matthew Berry, who passed away on June 17, 2023. The goal was to celebrate Matthew’s life, his value of friendship, his heart for community, and his love for his favorite cartoon, “Calvin and Hobbs.”

About the Artists: The bench was constructed by three 14-yearold artists and members of Girl Scout Troop 65142, as well as troop leader Jackie Perell, who has contributed two benches in the past.

SATURDAY MORNING CARTOONS

Forever

Friends

Statues on the Avenue

Our village welcomes all of you to take the walking tour along Oak Park Avenue and see the wonderful bronze sculptures we have on display.

Home Delivery

sculpted by Blair Muhlestein

Home Delivery transports us to an earlier time, much like the buildings that we see from the plaza. Here we see a young man, taking pride in his bike and his delivery of papers. Many of us remember the responsibilities of the papers delivered on time, as well as the drudgery of getting up early and facing those bad weather days!

Long May It Wave

sculpted by Blair Muhlestein

Three children recreate the battle-weary flag-bearer and fife and drum players of the Revolutionary War as they play. This sculpture takes on added significance as we remember the events of September 11, 2001. We continue to take pride in our flag and what it symbolizes and remember to rejoice in our freedoms as Americans.

The Good Book

sculpted by Mark Lundeen

This sculpture captures the bond between the old and young. Many of us remember a grandmother, favorite aunt, neighbor or friend reading to us as we sat enjoying not only the story, but the sense of sharing and love that brought us together.

A special thanks to Emily Zabrocki, former first lady of Tinley Park, for her assistance in selecting the bronze sculptures and for writing the descriptive narratives.

First Star

sculpted by Dennis Smith

In First Star, a father, rooted as an observatory, scans the dusky sky of a summer day, searching for that first evening star, creating for his daughter a vision of a broad universe beyond anything her young mind can yet imagine.

Tinley Park Firefighters

sculpted by A. Joseph Kinkle

The design of this statue was selected to depict those early days, a firefighter called to duty with a look of determination and concern to handle the task at hand. This tribute contains the names of all firefighters who served Tinley Park during the first 100 years, 1901 to 2001.

Twist in Time

sculpted by James Haire

Here we see a young boy enjoying a fine summer day on a rope swing beneath the branch of a favorite tree. Most of us remember the joy of feeling the wind brush across our face as we swoop up and down, up and down, higher and higher on the swings of our youth.

Heading Out

sculpted by Dennis Smith

Heading Out is an image about beginnings. Think about the mind and vision of a child; the trial and error—the pure work that accompanies the task of learning to walk. Beyond the falls, the bumps and bruises of the effort, finally those first steps take form and the child heads out into the world.

Dorothy and Friends

sculpted by Phyllis C. Beattie

This sculpture was originally commissioned to memorialize Dorothy Vogt, who was a community leader and volunteer in Arapahoe County, Colorado. It depicts Mrs. Vogt as a young girl, doing what she loved best, reading with her dog in the park.

Tender Touch

sculpted by George Lundeen

Tender Touch is a life-size sculpture of a young woman dressed in period clothing from the turn of the century. This woman stands between Fulton House and the train station and brings to mind the early settlers who underwent difficult journeys and untold hardships to find promise of a better life.

There are many ways to stay in touch with everything that's going on in the Village of Tinley Park. STAY INFORMED! Village of Tinley Park Illinois Government Page Tinley Park Life Amplified Village of Tinley Park Public Safety @VillageofTinleyPark Village of Tinley Park WWW.TINLEYPARK.ORG/STAYINFORMED

SATURDAY MORNING CARTOONS

F A R M E R S M A R K E T

SATURDAYS | JUNE 1 - OCT 12

*no Farmers Market July 20

8:00 a m - 12:30 p m

Oak Park Avenue Train Station North Lot

A L E T R A I L

JUNE 5 - AUG 28 | WEDNESDAYS

5:00 - 10:00 p m

C A R I B B E A N B L O C K P A R T Y

SATURDAY JULY 20 | 2:00 - 10:00 p m

SUNDAY JULY 21 | 12:00 - 7:00 p m 173rd Street to Zabrocki Plaza

Enjoy this two-day Jimmy Buffet themed event featuring live music, rides and attractions, food and beverages, and family fun!

MAY - OCT | Along Oak Park Avenue

JUNE 4 - AUG 27 | TUESDAYS *no Cruise Night Aug 6 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Oak Park Avenue 171st to North St Sponsored by VFW Post 2791

M U S I C I N

SELECT SATURDAYS | 7:00 - 10:00 p m

Oak Park Train Ave Station North Parking Lot

Music in the Plaza Presenting Sponsor:

i s i t T i n l e y P a r k . c o m

C R U I S E N I G H T S

T H E P L A Z A

V

B E N C H E S O N T H E A V E N U E

F o r e v e n t p a r k i n g a n d t o s t a y u p t o d a t e w i t h t h e l a t e s t e v e n t i n f o r m a t i o n p l e a s e v i s i t : T i n l e y P a r k o r g / S p e c i a l E v e n t s

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