Oceanside BenchMark Project

Created by Humanity Art: Lys Glassford and Lauren Semple.

Project Overview
As part of the inaugural BenchMark public art initiative, the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce commissioned Humanity in Art to create a demo bench to encourage artist participation. The project, co-organized by the Parksville and Qualicum Beach Chambers of Commerce, was designed to celebrate local creativity while enriching public spaces with colourful, functional art.
The commissioned demo piece would act as inspiration for dozens of other benches to be completed by participating artists across the region.

Creative Approach
Working in a converted autobody shop equipped with industrial heaters, Humanity in Art had a tight six-hour window to transform a raw cedar bench into a fully realized artwork. Drawing inspiration from a summer patio moment and a refreshing seasonal drink, the artists developed a bright, citrus-infused design using a dynamic combination of latex paint, spray paint, and acrylic ink.
The vibrant palette and playful patterns were intended to evoke a sense of joy, lightness, and immediacy, demonstrating how quickly public art can transform an ordinary object into an imaginative offering.

Community Impact
The demo bench helped catalyze participation among Oceanside artists and creatives. Following its completion, over sixty cedar benches were painted and installed across the region as part of the BenchMark campaign. Each bench served not only as public seating, but also as a temporary cultural marker, inviting community members to engage with art in everyday settings.

The benches were later auctioned, with proceeds supporting local arts initiatives and business development programming. The project demonstrated how collaborative public art can foster economic support, artistic visibility, and social connection.