Photos: Art Bench Trail
For nearly two decades, the Art Bench Trail has provided a place where community, art and the great outdoors come together. Peppered throughout the St. Croix Valley, these unique, artist-designed benches are much more than a place to rest your feet—they’re a lasting tribute to the people and places that make this region special.
This year, a new addition joins the trail. The latest art bench, located at the Carpenter Nature Center’s Wisconsin Campus in Hudson, was created by local artist Lana Sjoberg in collaboration with Willow River Elementary students. Titled Give Them Wings, the bench has a sculptural bird-like shape and features a glass mosaic of the St. Croix River flowing through the design, surrounded by various birds and flowers.
I invite you to explore the trail, take a seat and experience one of the most unique outdoor art offerings in the region.
Ben Thietje serves as the executive director of The Phipps Center for the Arts. For more on the Art Bench Trail and to plan your visit, go to artbenchtrail.org.
