New Albion bench highlights community’s heart and ‘deep roots’

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Christine VerSteeg of Kendall painted this bench that was added to the Albion downtown on Tuesday evening. She also painted a bench of a tugboat as part of Albion’s public art project.

ALBION – A new bench celebrating Albion heritage was added to the downtown last evening.

Artist Christine VerSteeg of Kendall created the painting on the bench. VerSteeg entitled the work, “Albion has heart! And, deep roots.”

The art work includes a heart in the middle of an orchard. VerSteeg painted fruit trees and wildlife – squirrels and rabbits.

This bench was placed next to a mail box on East Bank Street near the law offices for Sandy Church. It is the ninth bench to be added since last month that is painted to highlight local history and attractions.

VerSteeg also painted a bench with a tugboat at sunrise. There are three more benches in the works.

A Main Street grant paid for the benches and seven of the paintings by the artists. Resident Wayne Litchfield paid the artist fee for the latest bench by VerSteeg.