Takoma Recycle Public Art Project

For a project that combines beauty and functionality, “seats” were once again the theme for this year’s “reCYCLE” public art sculpture project sponsored by the Old Takoma Business Association.

Artists created innovative seats – from diving board benches to race car seats – that invite passersby to sit and soak up their community in 15 locations across Takoma Park, Md. and the Takoma neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Since 2011, the Old Takoma Business Association has commissioned artists to create imaginative outdoor sculptures made from a portion of recycled materials. The sculptures then become landmarks in a self-guided walking tour of Takoma. Installation began on June 13, and the seats will be auctioned off in the fall

Local artist Blake Sloan has two benches in the Sit on the Art exhibit. They are made of reclaimed wood and feature boxes planted with herbs. “I hope it builds community and makes people think – hey I could grab a sprig of sage and rosemary and put it on my dinner tonight,” says Sloan.

Keep a look out for two stools with mosaic seats called “Eclectic Takoma Park” that were stolen less than a week after installation near the gazebo.

To see photos and a map of all the seats, go to the Main Street Takoma Facebook page.

This article appeared in the July 2015 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.