Can you hear it?
The sound of Old Town?
If you have spent any
time here, you know.
If you're new here, linger a while ... you'll hear it, too!
This bench honors the music and local musicians that Old Town, Mankato businesses have supported throughout the years.
Old Town's creativity is expressed through the ingenuity of its people who strive to live their passions. From the Wine Cafe at one end to the Oleander Saloon at the other, music been at the heart of bringing people to the area.
Integrating the theme into the form of a bench highlights the historical sound of the area and gives visitors a spot to rest and take a moment to listen for "The Sound of Old Town!"
This bench provides an opportunity for community members to enjoy the creative vibe that is unique to the area as well as encourage pedestrian activity and create a place for people to feel comfortable gathering and exploring in this quickly revitalizing area of town.
The bench was installed January 2019
521 North Riverfront Drive, Mankato, MN
There is a high demand for the goods Mankato manufacturers are producing and a real shortage of labor to help get those goods made.
That in itself is a testament to the idea that "The Sound of Old Town" bench is a unique collaboration!
This bench was laser cut with the same piece of machinery that cuts pieces used in various industries, including power generation, renewable energy, agriculture, transportation, food and the US military. That machine costs about a million bucks, no joke!
Sarah Richards, the CEO of Jones Metal Inc, agreed to have this piece manufactured in her facility, with that machine, in the same production line as the world class items that pay her employees’ wages. I’m still astounded that this bench was fabricated there!
And this one of a kind paint job!
It’s a similar, yet different story. Ted Schreyer is the president of Associated Finishing Inc. They employ dozens of people in three facilities in Southern Minnesota and they powder coat thousands of parts per day for the same worldwide industries.
Ted is also a musician and was so inspired by this project that he powder coated this bench himself!
He understood the placement of this piece and the potential for corrosion and was very thoughtful in planning the correct preparation of the metal to withstand years of abuse.
He was most excited to get to play with colors and techniques that he doesn’t ordinarily get to do within his own facility. He took the idea to a whole other level! Forget rattle can spray paint, powder coating involves electricity ... so Ted used tin foil to mask between colors!
Here again is a business owner with a lot of high level, industrial manufacturing pressure that was excited to participate in this one time art project for the city of Mankato.
I see the enthusiasm by both of these people to take on this project as a hint of the need for creativity in our lives.
Finding time to step off of the treadmill of our daily work and do something different and fun, even for a moment, can be surprisingly rewarding and rejuvenating.
So get out there and dance, sing, paint, knit, build something, tear something apart....
And, if you see this bench in Old Town Mankato, sit in it.
And tell me what you hear!
The bench has it's own Facebook + Instagram! Follow, share & tag photos at The Sound of Old Town Bench Who made this possible?
Concept + Design Lead: Julie Dempster
Design Application + Fabrication: Jones Metal Inc. - design specifications: Travis Hemmingsen - laser cutting: Eric Raddatz - forming: Josh Wakefield - welding: Jeff Westphal
Custom Powder Coating: Associated Finishing Inc. Grant Funding: This activity is part of Infuse: Artists on Main Street Mankato, a partnership between City Center Mankato, the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota, and Springboard for the Arts with support from The Bush Foundation and is funded in part by the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council with an appropriation from the Minnesota Legislature with money from the State’s general fund.
Fiscal Sponsor: Twin Rivers Council for the Arts
Designed on Inkscape
Laser cut from 10 gauge steel
Back is rolled to match arc of seat
Four color powder coat
About me:
I am an Industrial Arts advocate and novice CNC designer.
My plasma cut sheet metal creations for Mankato YWCA's 2016-2018 fundraisers centered around empowerment and social justice.
My typical work is two dimensional, but I have created a handful of three dimensional pieces. This is my largest and most collaborative piece by far.
I have enjoyed the opportunity to channel Old Town's creative community for this project!
Thank you for stopping by!
Julie Dempster