You Belong Bench Program - Public Art
"Let Equality Bloom" Art Bench Project by Maya Corona
The You Belong Art Bench Program invites artists to transform benches into vibrant public art pieces that highlight local nonprofit missions, fostering community connection and engagement through creative expression. Maya Corona, a Calgary-based artist known for her colourful murals and vibrant, driven work, was selected for this project to create a bench art piece titled “Let Equality Bloom.” SpanicArts, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Hispanic artists and fostering connections within Calgary’s artistic community, collaborated with Maya on this project. Together, they aimed to create a bench that not only celebrates Hispanic culture but also advocates for unity and equal opportunities across communities.
Timeline for project: Start date (Jan, 11, 2021 > Feb 12, 2021)
The Project
Challenges and Approach:
Design Integration and Functionality: Maya’s primary focus was on the artistic design, ensuring that the bench’s visual impact remained the center piece of her work. The design features hands forming a heart that cradles the quote, “Let Equality Bloom,” surrounded by bold black and white florals intertwined with geometric lines inspired by Crescent Heights branding. Adding her signature beautiful gradient brought the piece together harmoniously, showcasing Maya’s unique artistic style.
She thoughtfully incorporated a cardholder into the artwork, subtly indicating where the card should be placed without compromising the overall aesthetic. This approach invites viewers to engage with the vibrant expression of the bench while still providing essential information.
Painting All Five Sides of the Bench:
The 2x6 ft bench required painting on all five surfaces: the top, back, front, and both sides. This meant that Maya’s design had to be cohesive from every angle, creating a consistent yet dynamic flow. She embraced this challenge by developing a design with themes and colours that wrapped smoothly around the bench, so each side carried a continuation of the previous one. This approach made the bench an interactive, immersive experience for onlookers, who could appreciate different aspects of the piece as they walked around it.
THE SOLUTION
SpanicArts’ mission to support and uplift Hispanic artists and those inspired by Hispanic culture resonated strongly with Maya, whose work often emphasizes cultural expression and community. “Let’s Equality Bloom” was inspired by values of unity, inclusion, and connection, core elements of both SpanicArts' vision and Maya’s personal artistic ethos. By avoiding direct logos or text, Maya employed floral symbolism and bold colors representing growth, diversity, and vibrancy to align her design with the nonprofit’s values and the message of equality. This subtle approach allowed the bench to serve as an artwork first while still conveying the advocacy message that underscored its creation.
IMPACT & RESULTS
Partnership with SpanicArts: SpanicArts was thrilled to work alongside Maya and support her creative process by providing resources and facilitating connections. As a nonprofit with a mandate to nurture Hispanic artists in Calgary, SpanicArts recognized “Let’s Equality Bloom” as an embodiment of its mission. The organization felt Maya’s concept aligned seamlessly with their focus on community building and creative expression. Through this project, they sought to showcase not only the bench itself but also the strength of the Hispanic community’s contributions to Calgary’s artistic landscape.
Outcome and Impact: Maya’s “Let’s Equality Bloom” bench has become an addition to Calgary’s public art, engaging the community and encouraging conversations around unity and equal opportunities. This project allowed her to convey values of connection and growth that resonate with both the Hispanic community and the broader public. The carefully placed QR code offers viewers the chance to learn more about SpanicArts and Maya’s work, connecting them further to the community’s creative network.
Conclusion: The You Belong Art Bench Program offered Maya an opportunity to create a work that was both visually compelling and advocacy-driven. By addressing the practical challenges of the project while staying true to her and SpanicArts' shared values, Maya successfully crafted a piece that celebrates diversity, equality, and connection. “Let’s Equality Bloom” now stands as a symbol of SpanicArts’ commitment to supporting local artists and fostering cultural unity in Calgary, inviting all to come together in appreciation and understanding.
FROM THE CLIENT
As the Executive Director of Crescent Heights Village BIA, I have had the pleasure of collaborating with Maya on various projects. During her involvement in the You Belong Art Bench Program in February 2021, she proved to be responsible, highly engaged, and proactive in promoting the project through her own channels. Maya completed the project on time, delivering a stunning piece of art. Her background in design and communications enhances her creativity and provides her with a deeper understanding of project goals, setting her apart from many visual artists. If you are considering hiring someone for a mural or public art project, Maya would be an exceptional choice.
—Camie Leard, Crescent Heights BIA
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