Artists, business and community bring new painted benches to Wellington

Colin Green, artist, sitting on the fruit bench he painted for Pierson’s Foodland.

The Wellington Community Association celebrated artists, business and community that helped to bring four new painted benches to the downtown.

Its Wellington Bench Project is part of the beautification committee’s ongoing work to enhance the spirit in the village.

Committee members Peta Hall and Lisa Reddick note there are four new benches for this year – two are from the Wellington heritage benches of 1890 adapted to meet Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) requirements and two are owned by Pierson’s Foodland.

“These benches are an inspiring example of useable art,” said Hall. “They are situated along our Main St. for the resting walker, the friends to gather at, and the community to enjoy and appreciate this ‘outside art’”

The Heritage benches were made by professional woodworkers Roy Perkin and Doug Smith, both she adds, are affectionately called “the WOTL Boys (Wellington On the Lake). It takes them the winter months to carefully produce the benches, and prime coat them ready for delivery to the artists in April.”

Hall explains that each bench was painted by a County artist who submitted their designs in November 2024:

The heritage bench painted by Sam Sakr  (far right) is situated at Good Place Wellington. He is joined in the photograph, from left, by:  Doug Smith bench builder; Jo Maclean Wellington Community Association chair and Peta Hall, Beautification Committee, WCA.

The heritage bench by Sam Sakr is delightful and detailed with village and water scenes, complete with our resident waterfowl and creatures. Each side depicts different aspects of our village life. His bench is located at Goodplace, 153 Main St. with kind permission of Trish Cook and Stew Garnham and the artist was sponsored by Veronica and Ron Norton, RE/MAX Wellington.

This heritage bench painted by Colin Green is situated adjacent to Lakeside Motel. He is joined in the photograph, second from left, by: Sam Sakr, Peta Hall, Beautification Committee WCA; Doug Smith, heritage bench builder; and Jo Maclean Chair of WCA.

The heritage bench by Colin Green is adjacent to Lakeside Motel at 351 Main St, with kind permission of Renda Abdo. This bright and colourful bench features our waterfront scenes, complete with our lighthouse, heron, turtles and fish. The artist was sponsored by Wellington Home Hardware.

Green also painted the two benches owned by Pierson’s Foodland situated at the corner 279 Main St., with kind permission from Addie Pierson. These two benches are fittingly painted in glorious, colourful fruit and vegetables. The fruit bench art was sponsored by the Nortons and the vegetable bench art was sponsored by Aaron Armstrong and Ben Oczkowski. The former is the owner of Blue Wheel Barrow Farms.

Hall notes the beautification committee is also grateful to its sponsors of materials, including Home Building Centre, Wellington for lumber and supplies and Picton Home Hardware for the paint and sealant, and the expert advice; A&B Precast concrete who custom made, delivered and installed the four bench slabs as required by AODA.

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