Arenas, Parks Or Novels: Tinley Park Wants Input On 2019 Benches

TINLEY PARK, IL — Since 2004, Tinley Park's award-winning Benches on the Avenue has turned stretches of Oak Park Avenue into an annual public art gallery illustrating a specific idea. “Treasured Family Musicals” has been the theme for 2018, and benches featuring "Shrek," "Little Shop of Horrors" and "The Lion King" will continue to be showcased through the first week of October.

Now the village officials have their sights set on the theme for the 16th annual Benches on the Avenue, and they want input on what that should be. An online survey has been created for residents to choose their favorite of three possible themes: sports arenas/stadiums, favorite parks or popular novels.

Residents also will be able to write in their own themes on the survey. But officials remind participants to keep their suggestions clean and family friendly.

Once a theme is chosen, benches are designed around that idea, and they're displayed along Oak Park Avenue from mid-May through October. A panel of judge's also selects winning benches in a variety of categories.

The following individuals served as judges this year:

• Cindy DePinto-Dawud, a Central Middle School art teacher
• Kalie Jordan, a Grissom Middle School art teacher
• Pastor Adam Malak, Faith United Presbyterian Church
• Jeanne Concannon, circulation librarian at Tinley Park Public Library
• Maurenn Cipolla, Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce president

Winning benches this year included:

• Best First-Time Artist Award: "Journey to Neverland" by Thornton Fractional South High School Art Club
• Best Group/Family Project Award: "Tuppence a Bag" by Sherrie Bartolini Ordaz and Michael Woodman
• Best Use of Materials Award: "Moana" by Jennifer Lilly
• Best Portrayal of Theme Award: "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" by Nick Schulien
• Most Creative Award: "Jungle Beat" by Raye Ann Saunoris
• Best 3-D Bench Award: "Hercules" by Nick Schulien
• Judges Choice Award: "Little Shop of Horrors" by Nick Schulien, Jennifer Lilly and Becca Zavala

Residents can go to the Village of Tinley Park's special survey page to vote on the 2019 theme.

This "Little Shop of Horors" bench illustrates the 2018 theme "Treasured Family Musicals." It won this year's Judges Choice Award. (Photo via the Village of Tinley Park)