CARING + SHARING | Plano Rotary Supports The Arts

PLANO ROTARY AND ARTS ON FIRE COLLABORATION: New Park Benches For Plano In 2019

Plano, IL Rotary Club has announced the inauguration of a new public art project to benefit City of Plano parks and public spaces, initiating a $6,000 investment to start the project.

What started as two separate visions has come together this fall in a brand new public art initiative, according to Plano Alderman Barb Nadeau. “I am thrilled to help collaborate this project alongside Kelly Browning, owner of Arts on Fire on Route 34. We began to brainstorm ways to bring public art into the city of Plano over a year ago. Since then, Kelly and members of the Plano Rotary Club have collaborated to propose something amazing,” Nadeau said.

The Plano Rotary Club learned that the City of Plano Parks committee was hoping to install new benches in the nine parks throughout Plano in the summer of 2019. As part of their mission to benefit youth, the Rotarians wanted to participate and to help promote donations to improve the city’s parks.

In a surprising turn of events, Browning, a well-known artist, art instructor, and owner of Arts on Fire in Plano, approached Alderman Nadeau to suggest it was time to start a public arts project and to create artistic benches to be displayed throughout Plano.

“As a Rotarian and a member of the city’s Park’s committee, I just connected Kelly with the Rotarians,” Nadeau said. “Kelly brought the complete package to the Park’s committee, and now we hope to get the entire city involved!”

The Plano Rotary Club has committed to purchase four benches, with a cost not to exceed $6,000. They are hoping to hear from many other organizations, individuals, and businesses who want to be part of this project. Benches can be ordered through the Plano Rotary or through Arts on Fire.

In early 2019, Browning and a crew of volunteer artists will design and paint the benches, and local business owner Mark Savitski of Plano Collision Center is volunteering his time to give each bench an automotive clear coat before they are installed in the city.

Each bench will cost $1,500, which will include a blank bench, paint and supplies for the volunteer artist, and a clear coat of protection to preserve the finished artwork.

There are several options for people to get involved in this public art project. Interested individuals, businesses, and organizations can purchase an entire bench or donate to be part of a bench purchase. Volunteer artists can also contact Browning at (630) 273-2119 or aof@comcast.net. For more information, contact Adam Witek for the Plano Rotary Club at adam@witek.net.

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