The story behind another art bench

During the Nov. 2, 2019, bench fundraiser for Save Our Forest, seven people stepped up to purchase the artwork of seven well-known artists in Fallbrook. The original white oak benches that were being replaced due to wear, were made by Robert Olds beginning in 1996.

The special art auction helped underwrite costs for Save Our Forest's Environmental Education program. Fourth and fifth grade students of the Fallbrook Elementary School District are given this special program that will hopefully develop the next generation of tree stewards and native plant appreciators.

Save Our Forest/Fallbrook Land Conservancy members and supporters work with the students to ensure that future generations will have nature preserves with native plants to be appreciated and also learn to treasure and protect these spaces for future generations.

Dave Baxter was the auctioneer whose booming voice was heard giving it his best "Going once, going twice... sold."

Enthusiastic support is par-for-the-course for long time Save Our Forest volunteers who love Fallbrook's downtown trees. John and Susan Sullivan showed up to add pottery and wood sculpted auction items to the one-of-a-kind art benches that were up for bid.

Each donated item sold to become part of a "rising to the occasion" so consistent with how Fallbrookians come together for good causes. What makes Save Our Forest/Fallbrook Land Conservancy so special is that their volunteers are also their biggest supporters – with sweat and financial support.

A ceramicist and a wood sculptor, the Sullivans were fairly new to Fallbrook 15-20 years ago when they came to the Avocado Festival and won a drawing for a money tree at the Save Our Forest booth. The important role of SOF work parties is helping with pruning to meet county road standards, and regular maintenance of the many planted and potted trees downtown.

"That one event brought valuable SOF volunteers and great longtime friends," Jackie Heyneman said.

One of the art bench artists is self-taught nature artist Gamini Ratnavira who collaborated with his published poet wife, Lisa Ratnavira. Through his interpretation of the poem "If," written by Emily Dickinson and picked by his wife, Ratnavira created a beautiful bench.

Ratnavira was located at the Hidden Forest Gallery known to many during their years on Live Oak Road. They have since relocated the gallery to their home where they are surrounded by beautiful nature. There, they created the beautiful bench.

The Ratnaviras are known for their contributions to the art world having been involved with FLC at the start of the Fallbrook Reflections of Nature Art Show now being held annually at the Fallbrook Art Center. He began classes with children at The Palomares House on Stage Coach Lane.

It is the simplicity of the robin, the egg and gnarly branches which appealed to relative Fallbrook newcomers Elizabeth and Tom Stuver formerly of Rifle, Colorado. Though they moved to Fallbrook in 2014, they truly have embraced being community volunteers. Since their arrival, they have sold their Colorado home and have officially relocated as Fallbrookians.

Tom Stuver is a retired attorney working primarily for nonprofits. They have both become heavily involved in Fallbrook as active work party volunteers for Heyneman's Save Our Forest. For many years, the Stuvers served as community organizers for Vista Volunteers specializing in infrastructure in small towns in Wyoming. They have donated tons of grapefruit to Fallbrook Food Pantry annually since they arrived in 2014.

Anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer with Save Our Forest and becoming part of the twice monthly work party to help clean up Old Highway 395. Everyone is invited to get involved with nature to help Keep Fallbrook Green. Visit https://www.fallbrooklandconservancy.org/ for more information.

Submitted by Save Our Forest.