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The Woodlands Art Council celebrated the installation of six new art benches in and around The Woodlands Waterway on March 8 as part of the second phase of The Woodlands Art Bench Project.

The Woodlands Art Bench Project, which first started off as eight unique benches located throughout The Woodlands in 2014, now consists of 14 benches.

“We are very excited about adding six more unique and creative benches this year,” said Theresa Terrell, TWAC board member and project chairwoman. “We are pleased to be extending this project that contributes artistic vibrancy to our community.”

TWAC officials said each bench was specifically designed for its location and artists from all across the U.S. and the world were considered. Artists were asked to submit a sketch of their idea of an art bench. TWAC Art Bench Project committee members looked over 70 designs from different applicants before picking six artists for the second phase of the project.

Two of the artists chosen for the art project were also at the event to showcase their work. Elizabeth Akamatsu, a resident of Nacogdoches, spoke to the audience about the bench she created entitled “Stardust.”

“The bench is inspired by the mineral gypsum found in the high desert,” Akamatsu said. “It’s a beautiful mineral with not so grand a purpose in life. My piece also has negative space that serves as little windows to catch moments. I love the location and so far people have reacted positively.”

John Weber, the other artist at the event, also talked about his art bench creation “On the Bayou.”

“It’s all fabricated out of stainless steel,” Weber said. “The original concept was South Louisiana—the swamps, the trees and the feel of it. I love South Louisiana because a lot of my dad’s family is from there. It was kind of an easy deal for me, what they desired to see.”

Weber’s and Akamatsu’s benches, along with the other artists involved in the Art Bench Project, were also on display at the annual Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival from April 8-10.

“The bench project is one of the many ways the council furthers its mission to provide regional, cultural and educational enrichment opportunities that encourage, support and promote the performing and visual arts,”  TWAC president Amy Lecocq said.

TWAC provides a variety of cultural and educational enrichment opportunities to support the local arts.