Catch a "mini" performance at "On the Bench" which will feature themed "readings" and "performances" by local thespians, musicians, poets and rising creative stars every Tues and Fri starting at four pm throughout October.

Here are the performances that have signed up so far:

Fri Oct 1

Tues Oct 5

Fri Oct 8: 1. Thrill the World at the Julia Morgan Luminary Art Bench (visit their website here)

Tues Oct 12

Fri Oct 15

Tue Oct 18

Fri Oct 22

Tues Oct 25

Fri Oct 29

City of Chico Downtown Art Benches

Main Street (North to South)

Between 1st & 2nd streets

1 &2. Farmer’s Market and Music 

Artist: Kari Zigan & Chico Country Day Students, mosaic tile

With the help of her class, Kari created two pedistal art seats. The wide variety of            

fruits and vegetables at our local farmer’s markets and Chico’s love for live music            

are portrayed in the mosaic tile.

Between 2^nd and 3^rd Streets

3. Julia Morgan Luminary Art Bench

Artist: Jenna Mae Hepworth, concrete and metal

Julia Morgan (1872-1957) was California’s first female architect, designing well            

over 700 buildings including the famous Hearst Castle and the Albert E. Warrens            

Reception Center at California State University, Chico. Morgan said,            

“Architecture is a visual, not a verbal art.”

Between 3^rd & 4^th Streets

4. Chinese Luminary Art Bench

Artist: Christen Derr, mosaic tile

Created in remembrance of the Chinese workers’ contributions to Chico’s early            

history, and donated in memory of Andrea Spressards (1980-2004). The bench            

tells the story of the murders of Shu In, Ah Lee, Ah Gow, and Ah Quen at the            

Lemm Ranch in 1977 as a means to remember, but also to celebrate Resilience            

and diversity of the City of Chico. Spressards’ friends and family commissioned            

the bench.

Broadway (North to South)

Corner of West 2^nd Street

5. Errol Flynn Luminary Art Bench

Artist: Christen Derr, mosaic tile

Known for his swashbuckling antics both on and off screen, Errol Flunn (1909-           

1959) starred in “The Adventures of Robin Hood” filmed in Chico’s Bidwell            

Park. Released in1938, the film garnered the Park acclaim for its lush woodland            

setting.

Corner of West 3^rd Street

6. Raymond Carver Luminary Art Bench

Artist: Dylan Tellesen, paint on concrete

After attending California State University, Chico in the late 1950’s, Ramond            

Carver (1938-1988) went on to become one of the most influential short-story            

writers of the 20^th century. He often cited Chico as the place where he found his            

voice as a writer. His poem “The Current,” written in 1983, is inscribed on the            

bench.

Between West 8^th and 9^th Streets

7. Trees

Artist: Cooie Grey-Lavin

The many varieties of trees found growing in Chico are rendered in tile and mixed            

media.

8 & 9. Sun and Almond Orchard

Artist: Janice Hofmann

The hot summer days of Chico are depicted in mosaic tile. Long-standing            

tradition of harvesting in the Chico area is celebrated in mosaic tile.

Wall Street

Between East 2^nd & 3^rd Streets

10. John Muir Luminary Art Bench

Artist: Michael Ginnattasio, concrete and bronze

John Muir (1838-1941) is known as one of this country’s most famous and            

influential naturalists and conservationists. In 1977, Muir joined Annie and John            

Bidwell on a guided trek up Mount Shasta to view some of the most spectacular            

geological regions of Northern California. This was the first of many trips during            

a lifelong friendship between Muir and the Bidwells.

Salem Street

Between W.1^st and W. 2^nd Streets

11. Greek Heads

Artist: Matt Auvinen, concrete

Greek heads represent Chico’s awareness of its past and allow us to reflect on the            

origins of our culture.

West 2^nd Street

Between Main Street and Broadway

12. Franz Cilensek Santa Claus Luminary Art Bench     

Artists: Pat Koszies & Kay Wooldridge, mosaic tile

Every year during the annual Christmas Preview, Franz Cilensek (1935-2006)            

became the real Santa to the children of Chico. Sitting in the window of Magna            

Carta, he used his beautiful calligraphy to record the names and desires of the            

children waiting to see him.

Between Broadway and Salem Streets

13. Jackson Pollock Luminary Art Bench

Artist: Robin Indar, mosaic tile

Influential American painter and major figure in the abstract expressionist                        

movement, Jackson Pollock (1912-1956) lived in the Chico area as a hild. The            

image at the center of the bench is a mosaic rendition of the painting :Water Bull”            

painted by Pollack in 1946.

West 3^rd Street

Between Main and Broadway

14. Carolyn Spellman-Shoemaker Luminary Art Bench

Artist: David Barta, concrete

Carolyn Spellman-Shoemaker (1929-) was raised in Chico, earning her BA, MS            

and teaching credential from Chico State College. Along with her husband, Gene,            

she discovered 32 comets and over 800 asteroids, making her the most successful            

Comet Hunter to date.

East 7^th Street

Between Wall and main Streets

15. Sir Joseph Hooker Luminary Art Bench

Artists: Juan Cole & Jeff Lerche, concrete and bronze

In 1877, during a botanical specimen-collecting tour of the west, Sir Joseph            

Dalton Hooker (1817-1911) visited John and Annie Bidwell and was invited to            

see the “Big Oak.” Hooker proclaimed the tree to be “the largest of its species in            

the known world.” Because he was the most famous botanist of the time, the tree            

was thereafter referred to as the “Hooker Oak.”

Between Main and Broadway Streets

16. Susan B. Anthony Luminary Art Bench

Artist: Jean Summerville, concrete and metal 

Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) helped create the first women’s movement in our            

country and led it for more than fifty years. Anthony’s many speeches and letters            

influenced John and Annie Bidwell. Thanks to her efforts, the 19^th Amendment            

was passed in 1920, giving women the right to vote.