Casey King | Whiting, Indiana
Since 2018, King has been passionate about incorporating fireflies into his artwork. He’s thrilled to honor our namesake through his latest piece, which features engraved fireflies and serves as an educational tool to explain how they glow. King specializes in design, illustration, and sculpture. For this project, he used lasers to engrave "dancing fireflies" into grey granite, dedicating the bench to the Potawatomi people.
“Wauwatosa was first in habited by Potawatomi and Menominee Native Americans who had control over what is now Wauwatosa until the 1830's. The illustration engraved upon my bench of "dancing fireflies" is a symbolic reminder of the native people who first hunted, farmed, gathered, fished, and built spaces of community on this land among the fertile river basin of the Menominee River."
Gerald Williamson | Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Created by local community member Gerald Williamson, this large bench features a steel firefly design with integrated lighting—making it an ideal spot to enjoy during evening strolls. His brand (Be Ready Every Day ®) encourages all to appreciate how far the world has come and see how far the world can go, as demonstrated with this bench that pays homage to his great uncle, the first Black man to own a house in Wauwatosa. Gerald Williamson demonstrates his talent as a local upcoming artist, with a style that blend tradition and innovation.
“Forever Wauwatosa” is a public art bench celebrating Wauwatosa’s rich history and spirit. This bench honors the opportunities Wauwatosa has provided to its residents, including my great uncle Zeddie Hyler, who built the first African American-owned home in Wauwatosa in 1955.”
Jake Patnode | Waterford, Wisconsin
Patnode, a Wauwatosa firefighter and chainsaw artist, is passionate about pushing his limits about what he can create out of wood. For this project, he challenged himself to create a wooden bench with tons of detail and color that also commemorated the origin and spirit of Wauwatosa. Patnode hopes that all who visit the park can appreciate the playful nature of his bench, featuring a friendly woodland scene set along the Menomonee River and capturing the charm of Wauwatosa’s natural landscape.
“I’d like to tie together the history and the fun of the city into one whimsical chainsaw carved bench. The carved dates in the bench share the history of Wauwatosa and serve as a "scavenger hunt" while the gnome continues the kid friendly theme throughout the park.”
Paula DeStefanis | Cedarburg, Wisconsin
Geometric and colorful, DeStefanis worked with her husband, Adrian Spinks, to reflect the vibrant culture within Wauwatosa in this bench. Her previous experiences with Southeastern Wisconsin have inspired this project and emphasized the importance of public artwork that engages and emulates the community. DeStefanis' artwork utilizes layering and shapes, highlighting a multitude of angles and perception, resulting in vibrant and joyful pieces everyone can appreciate.
“For the past 25 years, I've had the privilege of watching communities transform through the power of creativity and collaborative expression. From vibrant murals that tell the stories of local history to interactive sculptures that invite public engagement, each project has been a testament to the unique spirit of the region."
Martin Beach | Indianapolis, Indiana
Beach takes an abstract approach to a bench with his inclusive vision that mirrors nature. His "ink stones" are made of granite with deviating heights that mimic natural rock formations. The dynamic nature of this seating arrangement is aesthetically pleasing, while providing a comfortable seat for all, regardless of size. As an artist, Beach gathers stones and rocks of all shapes and sizes to transform them into artwork, enhancing the natural beauty of stones through use of curves and color.
“This staggered arrangement allows visitors of all sizes to find a comfortable seating position, echoing variability in natural rock formations. While each stone is architecturally distinct, together they create a cohesive and durable structure that blends fabricated elements with a natural aesthetic.”
Firefly Grove is more than just a park, but a place where public art is prioritized and imagination is allowed to run wild. These park benches are one of the many special parts of Firefly Grove Park. We encourage all to explore the park and indulge in the whimsy of life. Check out Firefly Grove Park for a full list of the parks' unique features.
