Art benches on the move in Fallbrook

Nancy Heins Glaser

Special to Village News

In 2019, a community art project called "Take A Seat" was initiated to upcycle and transform wooden benches into objects d'artes that homeowners might cherish and raise money for Save Our Forest at the same time.

The goal was to have unique wooden benches available to those who love their gardens. The original Robert Old wooden benches have been replaced over the years for Save Our Forests' Treescape project. Recycled plastic, graffiti-proof benches replaced the original wooden benches throughout downtown Fallbrook under shade trees.

"Seven artists for seven benches" is what I jokingly called the special fundraising project to support Save Our Forest, a committee of The Fallbrook Land Conservancy. That committee provides environmental education classroom programs for each of Fallbrook's elementary students.

The leaders, retired teacher Jean Dooley and community advocate Jackie Heyneman, schedule and present information to augment the classroom teachers' lessons about subjects like photosynthesis and weather.

The successful bench auction, Nov. 2, 2019, raised lots of fun and funds. Recognized artists participated over many months, meeting, planning and painting the benches. Save Our Forest volunteers visited, transported and photographed them. The benches were anti-graphite coated, and the feet were prepped for outdoor installation.

Since the live auction, much has changed for everyone. The bench buyers' lives have changed too. I thought it might be nice to follow the benches as they went to their new homes, so they were photographed in place. COVID-19 confinement changed everyone.

The first featured art object is titled "Bench Fantastico" and is now owned by Sandy and Ron Hull. It was painted by artist Daniel Martinez.

The Hulls sold their home and their longtime business, the clothing store at 100 Main. New owner Tuula Hukkanen is in place and ready to take on the shopping season ahead, while the Hulls will be traveling with their RV complete with Martinez's "Bench Fantastico" across the southwest. Guess what? Their art bench will visit more places than many residents dream about. They promise to keep us informed and send a photo to a national publication with their "Bench Fantastico" and keep us posted. Safe travels.

Save Our Forest continues with fundraising efforts all year to underwrite costs associated with materials and plants for educating elementary school children about trees. Third grade students start by learning how to transplant small plantlets, grown by volunteers over the previous year, into larger pots. The trees grow for another year, preparing to be transplanted again at Los Jilgueros Nature Preserve.

Area businesses have gotten involved. Brenda and George of "Brew & Que" and "The Rib Shack" have underwritten yearly field bus trip costs where children are taught fun learning opportunities with planting techniques shown by members of the Plant and Wildflower teams as active hands on learning.

Children get to explore open spaces while learning modern and age-old "how to" lessons for successful planting.

Another unique fundraiser is in process and also benefits community members. When they obtain annual memberships to the Fallbrook Land Conservancy, they get one tree free and advice on what to plant for a certain area, as well as consultation on planting techniques.

For more information,about SOF or to volunteer, call 760-728-0089 visit https://www.fallbrooklandconservancy.org/save-our-forest.

Editor's note: This is the first in a monthly series of articles on the art benches and their new owners.