What is Birds and Benches

Find quickanswers in our FAQs or read more here about the Birds and Benches project.

In a partnership with Council Member Lisa Kaplan’s office and the City of Sacramento Art in Public Places program, Birds and Benches is a multi-year, two-phase program that celebrates the diversity of avian life in the Natomas Basin, and specifically at North Natomas Regional Park and along the Jack Rabbit Trail in Sacramento, CA.

Through a national call for RFQs (request for qualifications), artists applied and were selected to participate as either a Phase 1 Artist Ambassador or a Phase 2 Bench Design Artist. In Phase 1, the five Artist Ambassadors have been paired with five “Careholder” partner organizations (North Natomas Jibe, Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento Audubon, and Natomas Charter School) to engage with Sacramento communities over the entire year of 2026 through free public presentations, meetings, and workshops, culminating in a group exhibition of the artists’ artwork.

In Phase 2, ten Bench Design artists have been selected to design and fabricate ten new art benches for the Regional Park and surrounding area inspired by the Phase 1 engagement events this cohort of artists will have attended and participated in. Through a robust year-long community engagement process, the general public and participating bench artists gain valuable insights and inspiration, allowing the program to not only provide long lasting, meaningful public art to the Natomas area, but also to allow program participants and the general public to share memories and experiences learning about the environment, beauty, and diversity of bird life around us every day within the Natomas Basin.

Birds and Benches Mentor Artist Speaker Series

Birds and Benches kicked off with our Artist Mentor Speaker Series. Mentor Artist Talks took place at the North Natomas Community Center throughout Spring 2026 and were free, family-friendly, and open to the public. These presentations were recorded and will be linked for future viewing.

These experienced artists and fabricators have been hired as Mentors for the Phase 2 Bench Design Artists as they move through their creative design processes to fabrication and installation. In this series, these four Mentor Artists will share  their work and their inspiration with the community and with our cohort of artists. 

Birds and Benches Updated Proposed Timeline

UPDATED PROJECT TIMELINE

October 2025:                             Artists notified

December 2025:                         Contract and supplier paperwork completed

January 2025:                              Artists begin meetings with careholders and design development

February - October 2026:         Artist workshops

January 2027                               Phase 1 Artist exhibition and Phase 2 Conceptual design presentation                        

January 2027 :                             Phase 2 Fabrication begins

July 2027                                       Installation of Benches in North Natomas Regional Park

September 2027                           Artist Talk and final celebration of benches