PLEASE, BE SEATED
“Please, Be Seated” recently completed its second year under the coordination of Our Town Belfast, a project that brings public art in the form of seats and benches to the streets of downtown Belfast. Local artists and craftspeople submit their designs for approval. Using a wide range of materials and creative ideas, the chosen seats are funded by local business partners and the City of Belfast and installed on the sidewalks and in the parks from June through October.
View an interactive map of our 2012 Please, Be Seated on the Belfast Creative Coalition website.
Download our 2012 Please, Be Seated map with listings. Can you find all thirty-one seats?
1. The One That Got Away ~ Jeff and Bryce Caldwell
2. Commodius
There are so many wonderful tree trunks around just waiting to become something else. With chainsaw in hand, Peter Poeller shaped this willow trunk into a single seat whose description says it all. Take in the comings and goings at the city boat ramp from its keen location.
3. Backdive With a Twist
So beautifully carved and magically suspended along the under-curve from a fallen apple tree, Ron Cowan’s sculpture provides a variety of options for sitting, lounging, or posing for pictures with Belfast Bay as your backdrop from a corner in Heritage Park.
4. Front Row for Old Salts’ Tales
Salvaged from the home of a seafarer, Anita Brosius-Scott has hand crafted, woven, intertwined, assembled and lovingly paid homage to a former neighbor by using all the items from his marine collections to decorate this delicate glider. A fragile piece of artistry, but one worth taking time to relax on, observe the details and enjoy the view to the bay.
5. Tourist Traps ~ sponsor: Hamilton Marine
6. W-A-L-K
It’s more about sitting once you see this charmingly painted canine’s face beckoning you forward. Judy Judkins has reclaimed a chair and transformed it into a rest stop at the bustling intersection of Main and Front Streets. Park your car, park your dog and yourself for a nice respite after your W-A-L-K up or down the hill. This seat is sponsored by Mainely Pottery.
7. A Considering Place ~ Bob New
8. Helping Hands
A whimsical delight created by the helping and loving hands of classmates and parent Keith Maynard, this sweet little bench will provide a place to stay cool in the shade. The Helping Hands Family School put their creative and skillful talents together for your sitting enjoyment.
9. Catch a Wave and You’ll Be Sitting on Top of the World
This surfboard bench was created by artists Michael Tracey and Bonnie Pierce. This vintage surfboard, decorated with whimsical underwater creatures riding the same waves is located on the corner of Main and Cross Streets.
10. Penny the Pig
Creator Ed Edmonds’ wooden pig is street wise, having been Camden National Bank’s oversized piggy bank sponsorship from last year. Climb on top and get a pig’s-eye view of Belfast’s visitors walking by. And be sure and send a snapshot home to Grandma and Grandpa too!
11. Tree Trunk Trio
Colorful and decorative, these three tree stumps have been creatively covered with knitting. If you haven’t been up to date on your yarn projects, covering almost anything with knitting is the latest trend. This is Karen Ireland’s multi-blend creation sponsored by Coyote Moon.
12. Buoy-Oh-Buoy
This was so popular and well-loved last year, it has returned to the sidewalk across the street from its original location. You’ll want to test out the buoys, but don’t roll off! Steve Wickenden has made this colorful bench from donated and reclaimed lobster buoys to brighten up our sidewalk fare.
13. Isn’t It Grand?
How darling is this baby grand? It will be the only time you are allowed to sit on the piano keys without making a sound or getting a reprimand. Brenda Ventura’s striking rendition brings together her building and painting skills with her love of music.
Dutch Chevrolet is the proud sponsor of this bench.
14. The Nest
Mother and daughter, Megan and Emma Cullen have paired up to challenge any bird to make a happier nest. From the trees in their own yard, this cozy place in a shady spot beneath a tree will capture your imagination. Thanks to chair co-sponsors are Brambles and The Green Store
15. Old School
You have to take a close look at this beautifully crafted chair by Alan Curry while you sit close to all the action at the corner of High and Main. Hours of forging steel rods into intricate leaves, curves and twists makes this a masterpiece of craftsmanship.
16. Rock On Spruce Spring Seat
Have you got it yet? It takes a couple of seconds to catch this wonderful play on words and a couple seconds to say it right. Michael Tracey and Bonnie Pierce had lots of fun with this seat and we’re glad they did. Seat sponsor is the Law Office of Joseph Biaungo.
17. Let’s Swivel ~ Steve Wickenden
18. Elemental Earth Seat
When a Cherry Tree falls in the woods, does anyone hear it? Maybe not, but someone does see it and turns it into a fabulous organic seat because of the caring skills of Peter Proeller and Patty King of Rockland. Cold Mountain Builders is the proud sponsor of this beautiful and breathtaking sculpture.
19. Rough Cut ~ Mike Hurley
20. Stone Banquette ~ Pierre La Roche and Waterfall Arts’ Rocks, sponsor: Waterfall Arts
21. Wonderfully Whimsical
In your must-see visit to the Belfast Historical Museum, you’ll want to catch a few minutes in this dressed-up Formal Frog before following the Museum in the Streets tour around town. The sponsor of this chair is, of course, Out On A Whimsey located on 133 High Street.
22. Going Nowhere
A slab of granite and artful blocks of concrete gave rise to it’s appropriate title. Mike Hurley’s entry in this year’s project is as stoic and solid as any seat can be. It’s location on the front lawn of City Hall is an added recognition of the City’s participation and support of Please, Be Seated.
23. Adirondack Red Magnum
From the slats of a wine barrel, generously donated by Cellardoor Winery in Lincolnville, Rick Hurwitz has crafted an elegant Adirondack Chair for your seating pleasure. The rich red wine color combined with the rustic finish of the barrel’s wood, provides a comfortable, panoramic view from the corner of Church and Main.
24. The Greeter
At the head of Main Street at the intersection with High, Ron Cowan’s The Greeter keeps watch over all. It’s welcoming face and expertly carved and finished seat, will give you pause and cause to sit a while. Proudly sponsored by Old Stuff, 125 Main Street.
25. Tricycle Ornithopter
From Belfast’s premier kinetic engineer comes this year’s version of the winged tricycle. Where would Please, Be Seated be without an interactive project from Cy Klausmeyer? Expertly conceived and executed, kids can take an imaginary flight as put the metal to the pedal and soar off to parts unknown. Sponsored by our newest downtown business, Left Bank Books.
26. Couch Potato ~ Ned Lightner and David Hurley
27. Faerie’s Dream ~ Bob New
28. Birch Perch
Bob Nichols didn’t just sketch this bench for his submission, he built a proto-type scale model for the review committee to see. And now, at the corner of High and Main is the real thing. A suspended seat brings delight to all who choose to “perch.” Thank you to Bangor Savings Bank for their sponsorship of this bench.
29. Table for 4 Please?
Sponsored by Belfast Co-op, Steve Cartwright has welded together a fun, springy, swiveling set of classic tractor seats around a lid fashioned out of an oil barrel. Straight off the farm and into the outdoor patio, enjoy your Co-op meal on this unique Table For 4, Please.
30. Titania’s Faery Throne
Reminiscent of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Titania’s Throne stands tall in front of the Belfast Free Library. Catch up on some Summer reading just outside the library doors. You’ll have the best seat in the house, thanks to artist John E. Bielenberg.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this project possible, including The City of Belfast and the above named sponsors. Thanks also to Bangor Savings Bank, Home Supply Center, downtown businesses and many individuals who gave of their energy, enthusiasm, equipment and electricity.