The Corporation of The City of London
April 23, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Public art goes to the dogs

The City of London, in response to public need and a desire to incorporate more public art, has installed innovative new benches in its three Dogs Off-Leash Areas.

The benches, installed yesterday in Greenway Park, Pottersburg Park and the Adelaide Street North Dogs Off-Leash Areas, are bone white in colour and bone-like in appearance.

Artist Steve Mielczarek, a native of London, came up with the idea as a powerful expression of contemporary, yet functional, environmental art. “What could be more natural?” asks Mielczarek, “I guess you could say the benches are primitive expressions of modern art.”

Julie Michaud, Parks Project Coordinator, says the benches fulfill two needs identified by the City, “More seating had been requested by the large number of people using our off-leash parks. These benches are a perfect opportunity to help us inject some fun and functionality, by way of public art, into our surroundings.”

Delivery of the benches to the parks was generously provided by the London North Home Depot.

London’s City Council, as part of its strategic priorities, has committed to enhancing heritage, culture, arts and diversity as a way to define and strengthen the city’s unique identity.