Rosenberg Arts Alliance: Enticing Public Art Benches in Downtown

Sculptural Art

Art can take many forms. Some of it is wearable; some pieces are for viewing only, and in other cases, it is also utilitarian. In the historic downtown of Rosenberg, we can thank the Rosenberg Arts Alliance for the idea of having artistically-painted benches installed throughout a six-block area for people to not only admire but also use as resting spots from their daily activities, whether shopping, dining, or doing business.

Sponsor: Vincent Regina Morales. Title: Historic Rosenberg. Artist: Suzanne Syvertson

Rosenberg, Texas

The community of Rosenberg began in the year 1883. Named after Henry von Rosenberg, who was the first president of the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway, the town was booming by the early 1900s. Shipping on the Brazos River also added to the booming economy at that time. Be sure to visit the Rosenberg Railroad Museum to learn more about the history of this area and the importance of the railroads in bringing people and jobs to this locale.

Sponsors: Rosenberg Historians. Title: To Everyone Who Ever Set Foot In Downtown Rosenberg And Kept Memories Alive! Artist: Paul Sanchez

Sponsor: Thomas & Lewin. Title: Texas Boots & Lariat. Artist: Suzanne Syvertson

Sponsor: RAA Art Bench. Title: Project 2016. Artist: Sue Zelko

Cultural Arts District

The folks in Rosenberg relish the arts. It would be nearly impossible not to notice it if visiting the downtown area which has the designation of being a Cultural Arts District by the State of Texas. Sculptures, murals, potted plants, and these artistic benches highlight the historic buildings of the charming downtown locale.

Sponsor: Renee Butler Title: To Daddy My Inspiration! Artist: Katie Barcak

Art Bench in Rosenberg

Sponsor: RAA Art Bench. Title: Project 2016. Artist: Diane Miller

Funding of The Art Benches

The Rosenberg Arts Alliance received a grant for $2,250 from the Anice Read Fund which helped facilitate some of the painting of these eye-catching benches. In other cases, people from the community helped to pay for the seats and support the artists who created the images and embellishments upon them. The dedications varied in intent.

In Memory of Vernon E. Campbell – Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Friend. Artist: Kathy Golden

Sponsor: William C. Butler Title: In Memory of Mayde Waddell Butler. Artist: Paul Sanchez

Sponsors: Barbara Roane Bleil and G. Grant Roane. Title: In Honor of Their Father Judge George G. Roane. Artist: Paul Sanchez

Several of the art benches are dedications to loved ones. Promotional material for businesses is apparent on some of these seats. Others merely serve as items of beauty as well as function.

Sponsor: Calla Lilies. Title: Snake Oil. Artist: Suzanne Syvertson

Sponsor: Old Main Street Bakery. Title: Jak Se Mas? (How Are You?). Artist: Karen Sabrsula

Sponsors: Mike and Laurie Mercado. Title: To Friends & Family, Salud! Artist: Orlando Reyna

We did not spot some of the benches dedicated to this public art project by the Rosenberg Arts Alliance. Perhaps they were being repainted? We saw one such instance first-hand at the Fort Bend Art Center. The one featured below was on the patio of one of the artist studios and was going to be refreshed before being reinstalled on a sidewalk outside.

If I spot more of these art benches in the future, I may add the pictures.

Sponsor: Rosenberg Arts Alliance. Title: Love Rosenberg Project 2016. Artist: Suzanne Syvertson

This final photo is the most extended bench, and it did not have a dedication plaque attached to it, so it may not have been a part of this Rosenberg Arts Alliance 2016 project. But it is a beauty! Located near a parking lot on 3rd Street across from the Another Time Soda Fountain & Cafe, as well as adjacent to the Rosenberg Railroad Museum, it would seat several people.