Benicia’s vibrant ‘play-art’ pianos combine art, music and culture to bring our community together
Artist Josie Grant’s ‘Jungle’ piano, featuring a natural scene with lush plants and colorful animals, also shows a vista Benicia residents and visitors will recognize from walks at Benicia State Park. July 22’s formal dedication and inaugural performances are open to everyone. | Photo by Will Stockton.
This is just a friendly reminder to music and art lovers to join the Benicia Arts & Culture Commission, public officials, musicians and performers today (Saturday, July 22) at 11am in the courtyard in front of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (120 East J St., Benicia) for the dedication of ‘Jungle,’ a new public piano.
The dedication will begin in the courtyard of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 11am with a special welcome from Arts & Culture Commission Chair Bizzy Lewis and public officials. After ‘Jungle’ artist Josie Grant is honored, local musicians will dedicate the piano with a lineup featuring performers both young and old, accompanied by Benicia Ballet dancers.
Admission is free and everyone is welcome. This is a very kid-friendly event and a great way to spend time with your family on this beautiful Saturday morning.
Learn more about the piano and ‘Play-Art’ program here.
Benicia’s vibrant ‘play-art’ pianos combine art, music and culture to bring our community together
Artist Josie Grant’s ‘Jungle’ piano, featuring a natural scene with lush plants and colorful animals, also shows a vista Benicia residents and visitors will recognize from walks at Benicia State Park. July 22’s formal dedication and inaugural performances are open to everyone. | Photo by Will Stockton.
By Nathalie Christian, July 18, 2023
Join Benicia Arts & Culture Commission, public officials, musicians and performers this Saturday, July 22 at 11am at the courtyard in front of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (120 East J St., Benicia) for a celebration of art, culture and music at the upcoming dedication of a new public piano.
Now in its second year, the Arts & Culture Commission’s ‘Play-Art’ project invites local artists to transform a classic piano into a lasting piece of public art, available for the whole community to enjoy. After a blind vote, this year commissioners selected Benicia artist Josie Grant to bring her creative vision to life on a baby piano generously donated by Robert Gordon of Gordon’s Piano Shop.
“The ‘Jungle’ piano is great – that’s what I call it,” said Grant, who is a graduate of the San Francisco Art Institute and newer Benicia resident.
Grant didn’t have to look far for inspiration. “I used a portion of my classic visionary oil painting that was created during my MFA, which became an early poster success, called Phantom Lovers, [revising its] design to include the vista of the beautiful Benicia State Park, which I see daily from our new home after relocating from San Francisco and a Sausalito art studio.”
Vice-Mayor Terry Scott was chair of the Arts & Culture Commission during the inaugural installation of Benicia’s first public piano, designed by Phyllis Hartzell and named ‘Hippo.’ His pride in seeing this program survive to entertain the community another year, despite threatened budget cuts, is palpable.
“The Benicia Piano Art Program aims to blend the worlds of music and visual art, fostering moments of joy and connection, and provides a unique background of music to our First Street,” Vice-Mayor Scott said. “By providing these two decorated pianos, the program encourages people of all skill levels to sit down and play, promoting a sense of public ownership and inviting participation.”
The public pianos indeed attract visitors of all stripes, their playful, accessible designs signaling an open welcome to amateurs and professionals alike, appealing to musicians both young and old. It is not uncommon to walk by St. Paul’s on the way to one of First Street’s many bakeries and catch a bit of Chopin, then find a new player plinking out an homage to Dr. Dre on the way back.
“I think it’s fantastic that local musicians, neighbors, and visitors feel encouraged to publicly share their musical talents on these one-of-a-kind decorated pianos,” Vice-Mayor Scott added. “Such community-driven programs can truly bring people together through the power of art and music.”
“For me, it’s a community builder,” Arts & Culture Commission Chair Bizzy Lewis agreed. “There’s something about seeing children, families, even tourists stopping in their tracks to check the pianos out. Rather than keeping their heads down, eyes on their phones, walking briskly, people instead stop to listen to the music, then appreciate the beautiful decorated pianos. They stop, and they take in the moment.”
Musicians and performers of all ages will be at the public piano dedication this Saturday. After the dedication, the Benicia Performing Arts Foundation is inviting the community to upload videos of themselves playing to have a chance to win Downtown Dollars. | Photo by Will Stockton.
“Even when it’s not being played, it’s a beautiful piece of art,” Lewis continued. “It’s great seeing everyone stand together, to listen to music and to appreciate art in community. It’s what we need, and it’s what these pianos do.”
Adding to this year’s fun, the Benicia Performing Arts Foundation is sponsoring a contest where entrants can use a QR code that will be posted on the piano to upload videos of themselves playing. Through the summer, until the pianos are rehoused for the winter, video entrants will have a chance to be randomly selected to win Downtown Dollars, redeemable at participating Benicia businesses.
Even without the added draw of a contest and the promise of Downtown Dollars, Benicia kids appear to have given the public pianos their collective seal of approval. Outside of a few instances of petty vandalism, Benicia youth have embraced the piano, playing alone, in pairs or in larger groups. The low-key, high-creativity setting offers a little something for everyone, but kids especially seem to love the accessibility and promise of the whimsical, open-air instrument.
“I think the piano inspires young musicians and people that want to be piano players. I like it because my friends and I can mess around with music and play some notes,” said Elle Allure, 9.
“The pianos are artsy and colorful,” said Cadence Cronon, 9. “Ienjoy playing and I like playing the notes painted on the ‘Hippo’ piano.” The piano painted by Hartzell was moved to and will remain on display at the Benicia State Capitol building until the pianos ‘hibernate’ during winter.
“I like hearing people play the pianos when I am downtown,’ Pennyroyal Stockton, 6, agreed. “It makes my heart feel good.”
The dedication will begin in the courtyard of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 11am with a special welcome from Arts & Culture Commission Chair Bizzy Lewis and public officials, including Vice-Mayor Terry Scott. After introducing artist Josie Grant and honoring her beautiful design, local pianists and musicians will dedicate the piano with a magical lineup featuring performers both young and old, accompanied by Benicia Ballet dancers.
Benicia can provide future generations with what they need to thrive – without losing its identity
By Ashton Lyle, June 28, 2023
Ashton Lyle, BenIndy contributor.
My cousin just graduated in her small town, complete with a ceremony reminiscent of my own experience at Benicia High School. Her school, with only 63 graduates, exists firmly outside the suburban identity of Benicia – but all the same, as I watched these newly minted young adults striding confidently across the gymnasium floor, I was left considering the shared nature of our small-town identity.
A small town’s character is bound up in its most community-minded individuals, the folks who organize around important collective desires. Whether in California or not, these leaders tend to be parents, motivated by the intense desire to provide opportunities for their children. Such is the case in Benicia, a town whose identity is deeply tied to the high quality of education provided to its children.
Education is why my parents moved to Benicia, bringing me to my new home in the golden hills for the first time as a five-year-old. This is a common experience amongst young families in Benicia, who are making sacrifices of all types to find homes and enroll their children into the regionally acclaimed schools. This intense drive to provide for children’s success is admirable.
Quality primary education naturally leads to higher education, and in America, university-level instruction often takes one away from one’s hometown. Meaning that for me and many other young people raised here, the reason why I arrived in Benicia became the reason I left. Like many others across the region, this city is designed to send its children away.
This is the story of my upbringing and of many others in the community. Even after I finished my education and returned to the Bay Area, I did not come home. Why was that, and what does it say about the continuity of Benicia’s community?
First, leaving one’s hometown is a privilege not guaranteed by growing up with access to good schools. Many of my classmates have not left their own hometowns, largely for economic reasons, a common experience as between30% and50% of young people live with their parents. There is a vicious cycle of stagnation everywhere in America, epitomized by the inability to afford the move to better opportunities, which is difficult to leave behind without generational wealth.
Of course, choosing to continue living in one’s hometown as a young person is a perfectly acceptable choice, especially because Benicia and its surrounding communities have many positive aspects. In addition to the incredible weather, culture, and people, the Bay Area is also notable for its jobs, a consideration that is especially important for young people looking to build financial independence. Even better, these jobs are the type of employment that allows for a future unburdened by concerns about making rent and servicing debt.
Benicia can evolve to keep its young people while still providing them with the economic possibilities they need to thrive. The town will never be for everyone; some will always be drawn to the big city, and others to rural tranquility. However, I know many of Benicia’s parents want to keep their children close, and it’s worth considering what policy choices could help keep families and the broader community together over the long term.
Where Benicia falls short in comparison to its neighbors is its ability to offer the same opportunities – in business, leisure, and otherwise – which allow for easy connection to other early-career workers. The problem facing current residents is how to provide essential social and economic possibilities for young people while maintaining Benicia’s identity.
This intersects in complex ways with the rise of remote work. As office work has become less frequent for many in the professional class since COVID, the value of housing has risen in the areas surrounding major cities, including Benicia.While I believe we need to increase the town’s housing stock, it is also true that in order to compete for the attention of young people looking to make a home within neighboring towns, Benicia must work to maximize what makes it so special.
Increasing transit routes and service frequency in Benicia could help residents – especially young adults – find and access better social and professional opportunities. | Image by BB&B Business Group.
I see two main areas that would provide increased opportunities for young adults while improving the city’s livability. One is Benicia’s connection and ease of transit to neighboring cities that provide services and experiences incompatible with the nature of small-town life. For example, Vallejo contains many shops and amenities from a movie theatre to big-box retailers that are currently infeasible or out of step with the size of Benicia. This means transit connections should continue to be built out, for example, by further exploring the potential for a 9th St. ferry, building increased bus connections, and allocating funds to better maintain our roads.
The other avenue would be to double down on what makes Benicia great to begin with – our downtown. The walkable, mixed-used character of downtown, with its intoxicating mix of neighborliness, town events, art galleries, and small businesses, draws visitors and residents alike to the area. The city is looking into expanding mixed-used zoning to areas like theEastern Gateway, an amendment that I am happy to see passed, as it not only invites the business and social spaces which attract young people but will also expand our tax base. These sustainable developments, which could expand eventually to include the Raley’s and Safeway shopping centers, build on Benicia’s historic character while providing more opportunities for business and community growth.
These new additions can continue the tradition of Benicia’s small-business-focused downtown, while also being free to experiment with new types of buildings and businesses which are better suited to the contemporary remote work city. Co-working spaces, formal and otherwise, would bring people to the Eastern Gateway, incentivizing more services within the new “midtown,” providing an alternative focal point to 1st Street. This would help alleviate some of the parking issues facing Benicia’s downtown, however, the development is also only a short drive away, meaning workers drawn to the area would still be likely to patronize existing businesses and keep the community thriving. By providing additional locations for remote work and social gatherings in town, these new areas incentivize young workers to spend their time in and amongst the community, making our town more engaging for both current and future residents.
Benicia’s First Street already has some stretches that reflect mixed-use development, featuring buildings with ground-floor commercial spaces (usually retail, restaurants and other small businesses) topped by upper-floor residences. | Image uncredited.
The last few years have signaled the start of a new status quo in the nature of small-town life, both built by and increasingly unbound from the concept of a traditional California suburb. Planning a Benicia better suited for the age of remote work and open to increased social and business opportunities is the key to providing a lifetime of opportunities for its children and residents of all ages, allowing the community to stay and grow together.
Author’s Note: In the spirit of full transparency, I am related to the recently appointed Planning Commissioner for the City of Benicia. That said, the opinions expressed in this piece are fully my own, they were not unduly influenced by our relationship, and should not be taken to represent his or anyone else’s opinion.
Here’s some details on Sunday’s “Benicia Our Home” program and information that may be of help to those not familiar with the Clock Tower. This is a once in a decade – or a lifetime – Benicia event – don’t miss it!
“Benicia Our Home” This Sunday, June 25, 3 p.m. at the Benicia Clock Tower
The program starts at 3 p.m.
Premier showing of video “Benicia Our Home” AND “The Making of Benicia Our Home”
Overview of Benicia Poetry during the past three years of challenge and crisis
California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick—Vision for poetry in our communities
MC Mary Susan Gast, outgoing Benicia Poet Laureate
Benicia “ZipOdes” sprinkled throughout
When you arrive at the Clock Tower
You will be greeted at the entrance and directed to the 2nd floor auditorium. You can take the stairs or the elevator.
When you enter the auditorium, please stop at the nametag table.
Sign the copy of Yearning To Breathe Free that we will present as a gift to California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick.
Enjoy the art display – Benicia Artists, Scenes of Benicia
Books of Herrick’s poetry, along with Yearning To Breathe Free, will be available for sale.
Driving Directions to the Clock Tower, 1189 Washington St
From I 780
Take exit 5 toward Central Benicia/E. Second St.
Turn left toward downtown Benicia on E 2nd St. at the end of the exit ramp.
Continue on E 2nd St for about half a mile and turn left onto Military East at stoplight.
Follow Military East .8 miles to Adams St. Adams St. verges to the left; make the slight left turn onto Adams. (It is really a slight left, not a 45 degree hard left.)
Follow Adams Street .3 miles to a stop sign. To the left is a big sign, “Johannson Square, Commandant’s Lane.” This is Washington St. Watching for oncoming traffic, turn left onto Washington St. / Commandant’s Lane.
Follow Washington uphill to the parking lot and the Clock Tower on the right.
From inside Benicia
Find your way to Military East.
Follow Military East .8 miles to Adams St. Adams St. verges to the left; make the slight left turn onto Adams. (It is really a slight left, not a 45 degree hard left.)
Follow Adams Street .3 miles to a stop sign. To the left is a big sign, “Johannson Square, Commandant’s Lane.” This is Washington St. Watching for oncoming traffic, turn left onto Washington St. / Commandant’s Lane.
Follow Washington uphill to the parking lot and the Clock Tower on the right.
From BenIndy contributor Roger Straw…
Roger Straw, Benicia CA
‘Benicia Our Home’ at the Clocktower will be incredible – kind of a send-off for my sweetheart of 52 years, Benicia Poet Laureate Mary Susan Gast. …Larnie Fox commented on Mary Susan’s poetry and leadership, “Mary Susan has been an amazing presence on the scene here, easing us through insurrections, mass shootings and COVID with compassion and insight.” As to the June 25 event, I can’t believe we ALSO have the California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick coming! And more – Constance Beutel’s song-video will bring Benicians together in an unprecedented way – such positivity as we’ve not seen in my time in Benicia… Mark your calendar now, and plan to attend!]
Take exit 5 toward Central Benicia/E. Second St.
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