Every year I look forward to my sister telling me the benches are back in Tinley Park, Illinois. Not ordinary benches, Benches on the Avenue” is a popular public art program turning functional street benches into colorful, creative attractions. Located in downtown Tinley Park, the 20 benches will remain through October.
Photo courtesy of Rick, a Tinley Park business.
Every year the benches feature a different theme. Previous themes included last year’s Around the World, Classic TV, America the Beautiful, Toyland and other fun subjects. For its 18th year, this year’s Album Cover Tour pays tribute to iconic album covers. All genres and eras of music are represented. A new feature this year is a QR code to be scanned to hear songs from the featured artist.
Photo courtesy of Rick, a Tinley Park business.
The Village of Tinley Park and its MainStreet Commission created this public art program to draw people to the downtown area. I am proof it works because, on a recent visit to see my sister, I gave myself extra time to check out all of the benches. Although I saw all, there were so many others doing the same, I couldn’t get good pictures. Fortunately, Tinley Park marketing assistant Joanne Carroll provided several photos.
Photo courtesy of Rick, a Tinley Park business.
Photo courtesy of Rick Villarreal of Ricasso Art Works.
One of my favorites is the Kiss Destroyer bench, created by artist and illustrator Rick Villarreal of Ricasso Artworks, with a little help from his children, Lucas and Ella. Commenting on his bench, Villarreal told me, “My favorite band as a kid, even bigger fan as an adult, one of my favorite album covers as a kid, now that I had an opportunity to paint it, I took full advantage of my airbrushing.” Like Villarreal, Destroyer was one of my favorite albums, and he did a fantastic job recreating the cover. With all due respect to Detroit, Tinley Park is now Rock City.
Photo courtesy of Rick Villarreal of Ricasso Art Works.
In addition to the benches, there are a lot of fun events planned for Tinley Park this summer, including Cruise Nights, Music in the Plaza, the Downtown Block Party and more. I’m sure I’ll join my sister’s family for some fun in Tinley this summer.
Photo courtesy of Rick, a Tinley Park business.
— John Wroblewski, online writer
Photo courtesy of Rick, a Tinley Park business.
Photo courtesy of Rick, a Tinley Park business.
Photo courtesy of Rick, a Tinley Park business.
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Sep 6, 2024Indio, California is “Hot” Right Now, and We’re Not Talking About the Weather
Although most travelers are familiar with the name Palm Springs, the oldest city in the Greater Palm Springs region is Indio, California, Coachella Valley's "City of Festivals,” which has been experiencing an exciting downtown revitalization.
Sponsored Content
Colombia: A Different Kind of Beauty
Colombia’s beauty defies description — it’s that unique, that special, that different — and travelers are taking notice as 2023 marked the country’s best year for tourism, welcoming more than 6 million international travelers. The Country of Beauty looks to continue growing and enhancing its regions and communities in 2024 and beyond.
September 2024
Sep 6, 2024Escape to Tahiti for a Captivating Island-Hopping Cruise
The 118 islands of French Polynesia reveal themselves layer by fascinating layer, with the spirit of mana (vital force) linking them all the way from Tahiti to the remote reaches of the Marquesas. This is part of the world best savored on a journey that dives as deep into culture as natural beauty, both above and below the water’s surface. A cruise makes it easy to cover a lot of ground while unpacking just once (and sneaking in some work done in comfort, too, during at-sea days). And cruising offers particular appeal within this semi-autonomous French territory sprawling across nearly 2 million square miles of ocean and covering five archipelagos.
Daily
Sep 6, 2024Experience the Awe of Fall Foliage at These 5 U.S. Hotels
‘Tis the season for flannels, pumpkin spice and beautiful fall colors. With seasons changing, leaves turn to stunning gold, red, orange and yellow, making it the perfect time for travelers to hit the open road and explore five fall foliage hotels in the United States.
Sponsored Content
Extend Your Stay In Trendy Madrid
With its rich artistic and natural heritage, its outstanding transport network, the quality of its accommodation, its excellent gastronomy, and the passion with which the people of Madrid enjoy both the day and the night, the capital of Spain is one of the most attractive cities in the world.
Daily
Sep 6, 2024Finnair Celebrates 5 Years of Platinum Wing Lounge
Finnair’s exclusive Platinum Wing lounge in Helsinki opened in summer 2019 and recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. Open to Finnair and oneworld’s top-tier customers, the lounge offers travelers a place to drink, dine and unwind pre-flight. Featuring Nordic-inspired design, the lounge offers areas for working, relaxing and dining, accommodating up to 155 customers at a time.
Take a Look at Windstar’s New “Star Seeker”
Daily
Sep 5, 2024eFlyer Reviews
Sep 4, 2024The Shelbourne Review
Facing the vast St. Stephen’s Green in the heart of Dublin sits the iconic and historic The Shelbourne. Few hotels master the perfect blend of history and luxury, but The Shelbourne gets it right. The site of the signing of the Irish Constitution in 1922 granting the Republic of Ireland its freedom from England, The Shelbourne has hosted its fair share of notable figures, from Michael Collins to Princess Grace Kelly to John Ford, the latter of which was the name of my suite.
Sponsored Content
Sunflower Accessibility Program Featured at O’Hare and Midway Airports
Travelers with invisible disabilities passing through O’Hare and Midway International Airports can now discreetly signal they need assistance thanks to a new Chicago Department of Aviation partnership that helps create more accessible and inclusive spaces.
eFlyer News
Sep 4, 2024Illinois Becomes First Great Lakes State to Ban Certain Single-Use Plastic Bottles in Hotels
All hotels in Illinois with 50 or more guestrooms are now required to eliminate the use of small, single-use plastic bottles containing personal care products in individual rooms and public bathrooms beginning July 1, 2025. By Jan 1, 2026, all hotels are expected to make this transition.
ShareThis