The City of Napa had earlier announced an event on April 21, to dedicate the new public art bench overlooking the Oxbow Commons and the River that City staff recently installed. Now the dedication ceremony has been postponed until later in the summer, after the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.
The project is the work of local wood artisan Robert Zlomke in partnership with the Friends, with support from Arts Council Napa Valley. The bench is made of a single locally grown redwood log, which once shaded the grounds at Calistoga High School and now helps us pay homage to the river.
Many people made key contributions, including Shari Gardner of the Friends, Rick Thomasser and other Flood District staff, contractor Ron Yeske, and Jake Schneider of Pacific Tree Care. Jake not only donated the log but even provided delivery to Napa. And of course, the City of Napa Parks staff installed the bench: some assembly was required, and the Parks team did a great job.
We might also mention that Bob, the builder of the bench, got more involved with the Friends through the project. He joined the Board and is now our newly-minted President. So be careful! You might also find the Friends contagious – in a good way, of course.
