Benchmark Program

The Liberty Village BIA asks, "have you ever sat on a masterpiece?"

BENCHmark is a unique initiative of the Liberty Village BIA that transforms old wooden park benches into public art pieces. These artistic benches celebrate that Liberty Village's creative present and unlimited future is rooted in its industrial past.

Positioned throughout Liberty Village, these benches are the first public art benches in Toronto. BENCHmark showcases the creative talents of Liberty Village while adding a place to sit, talk and be inspired.

Susan Serran, Director of Programs, Toronto Artscape, values the BENCHmark program:  - These benches add such an important and welcoming dimension to the neighbourhood. In addition to signaling that creativity is alive and well, they send out a message that Liberty Village is a place to intersect, to connect and to contemplate. 

The BENCHmark program began in 2005 with the unveiling of three "works" as part of the Liberty Village BIA's contribution to Toronto Artsweek celebrations. For 2006, BENCHmark expanded to include nine new benches in Liberty Village. Two BENCHmarks and a sculpture "Partner" were added in 2007.

Contact us to learn more about becoming a BENCHmark Partner or Adopt-a-Bench Supporter.

Make your mark and become a BENCHmark partner.

Before the transformation It all began with a few orphaned park benches and a couple of stark local street corners.

Artist Mina Arakawa This modern map of Liberty Village was based on a Google satellite image.

Artist Jess Perlitz Inspired by Marshal McLuhan, Jess Perlitz created The Interval Bench, which integrates a McLuhan quote with "talk tubes".

The Unveiling Councillor Sylvia Watson, Ward 14 Parkdale - High Park, officiated the unveiling of the collection of three art benches in September 2005 as part of Toronto Artsweek activities.