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Bronzeville Benches

Installed: 1996

Location: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, between 25th and 35th streets.

The benches celebrate Bronzeville’s unique history and achievements including its local architecture,
its musical legacy, the message of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement,
the community’s African heritage and the promise of local youth.

These benches were installed as a part of the King Drive Restoration Project.

King Drive Restoration Project: In 1996, Mayor Daley dedicated the $10 million King Drive restoration project to revitalize the historic Bronzeville neighborhood. The King Drive project, funded by the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, includes new benches, 91 bronze plaques and assorted artwork along King Drive from McCormick Place to 35th, celebrating the area’s black history. The city Cultural Affairs Department supervised the project. As a part of this restoration project, benches were designed by a variety of artists were installed at bus stops, in medians plazas and at Martin Luther King Branch Library. Thirteen artists were selected to create the twenty four bench sculptures.

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BRONZEVILLE BENCHES
Shark Bench – by Barry Hehemann
Walk Around the Block – by Apache Wakefield
Louis and Li – by Ted Garner
Tampa Red – by: Ted Garner
The African Headrest – by Willie Cole
Queen Emmeya – by Kymberli Johnson
King Potolo – by Kymberli Johnson
Tribute – by Barbara Grygutis
Jazz – by Oswald Martin
Guitar – by Oswald Martin
A Throne for King – by Barry Hehemann
A Throne for King II – by Barry Hehemann
Body – by Maureen Blossfeld

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Shark Bench – by Barry Hehemann
Location: Cermak Rd. and Indiana Ave. Located adjacent to McCormick Place.

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Walk Around the Block – by Apache Wakefield
Location: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. at 25th street central median.

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Louis and Li – by Ted Garner
Location: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. at 25th street.

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Tampa Red – by Ted Garner
Location: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. at 33rd Pl.

 

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The African Headrest – by Willie Cole.
Location: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Branch Library Plaza
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at 35th street.

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Queen Emmeya – by Kymberli Johnson..
Location: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. at 33rd St., northeast corner.

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King Potolo – by Kymberli Johnson
Location: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. at 33rd St., northwest corner.

 

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Tribute – by Barbara Grygutis
Location: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. at 31st street..

 

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Jazz – by Oswald Martin
Location: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. at 35th street.

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Guitar – by Oswald Martin
Location: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. at 29th St., northeast corner.

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A Throne for King – by Barry Hehemann
Location: West side of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Dr. between 34th and 35th Sts.

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A Throne for King II – by Barry Hehemann ..
Location: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. at 35th St., northwest corner.

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Body – by Maureen Blossfeld
Location: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. at 26th St., southwest corner.

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RELATED LINKS

The King Drive Gateway Project [1996].. click here..
Bronzeville Public Art .. click here..
Chicago, Art by Location.. click here..

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