Danville Seeks Bay Area Artists For Painted Book Benches

DANVILLE, CA — Books provide entertainment, knowledge and wisdom. In Danville, they will soon also provide some relief for weary legs.

The town is working with Danville Public Library and Rakestraw Books to create 10 Artful Book Benches, which are painted benches that resemble an open book. The benches will be situated in front of the Danville Public Library and throughout Downtown Danville from June 9 to Sept. 30. The benches aim to “to encourage reading, provide a place for people to rest, and to instill in the community an understanding and appreciation of public art.”

Project coordinators are currently seeking artist submissions for the bench, and have extended the artist submission deadline to Jan. 30. The project is open to artists of any age, including students, who live in any of the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties. Submissions will be announced Feb. 7, and artists will receive $1000 per design upon completion of the project.

For more information, read the Call for Artists details. See here to apply.

Artful Book Benches is the latest in several public art projects in Danville. In 2019, 15 hand-painted dog sculptures were placed around town. In 2020, when everyone needed a bit of extra love, painted hearts showed up all around Hartz Avenue. In 2021, hearts were replaced by glowing mushrooms, and in 2022, elaborate picture frames turned scenic spots all over the Tri-Valley into living paintings.

See here for more information on the latest project.