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Public Art Projects

Birds and Benches in North Natomas Regional Park

FAQ

Birds and Benches Logo Page
FAQ

Find more information HERE

Mentor Artists' Workshops are a fun, inspiring way to pass the evening!

Large Metal Eyes Look Over the Park open_in_full

Peek-a-Boo by Larry Meeks

Birds and Benches Mentor Artist Speaker Series

Doors open at 5:30 for light hors d'oeuvres and conversation. The Artists' Presentations are 6pm-7pm with time for questions at the end. Our next presenter will be Larry G. Meeks on Tuesday, April 7 , 2026.

 

Larry Meeks is a renowned metal artist, creating both public and private works of art. He has 49 artworks gracing the public landscape in Sacramento. His works can be found at the State Capitol, the Federal Building, City/County Parks, Public Transit Station, Urban Gardens, and many private collections.

Reverend Larry Meeks is pastor of Williams Memorial Church of God In Christ, Sacramento’s mother church. He has a Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.); a Master of Arts in Public Administration (M.P.A.), a Master of Arts Degree in Psychology (M.A.); and two Honorary Doctorate Degrees (Divinity and Humanities).

He was a Nationally Syndicated Columnist over 20 years. During that time, he wrote 1,000 plus columns that were widely read around the world. He covered such diverse issues such as rearing families, race relations, religion, and how to survive in a troubled world.

Larry Meeks was a college professor for the Los Rios Community College District. He taught psychology. He was a consultant and instructor for Sacramento County teaching “Life Skills and Turing Your Life Around” to convicted drug abusers. Larry Meeks is the Former Director of Health for the State of California. He was appointed to that position by Governor George Deukmejian and served in that capacity for nine years. Larry Meeks served 13 years on Sacramento’s Natomas Unified School Board. In 2021 the Natomas Unified School Board named the Larry G. Meeks Academy in his honor. The city also honored his contributions by memorializing his hard work by naming a street after him.

Larry Meeks is a Marriage Family and Child Counselor. He has succeeded in changing many lives for the better. He does this God given work free of charge for the members of his congregation.

Larry Meeks is a decorated Vietnam combat veteran. As a commissioned officer, he faced the horrors of war, led men under fire, and served his country with distinction. Larry Meeks and his wife Dinnie have been married 560 years. They have two children and four grandchildren.

Aida Ayer's Artist Talk and mixed media textile workshop were exciting, educational, and inspirational start to our Mentor Artist presentations. Ronnie Frostad shared her journey and her passion at our second presentation. Mentor Artist Talks are happening at the North Natomas Community Center throughout Spring 2026 and are free, family-friendly, and open to the public.

These experienced artists and fabricators have been hired as Mentors for the Phase 2 Bench Design Artists as they move through their creative processes to fabrication and installation. In this series, these four Mentor Artists will introduce themselves and their work to the community and to our cohort of artists. The Birds and Benches Mentor Artists will share their work, their process, and their experiences with art in the public realm. These mentors will be availlable to our Phase 2 Bench Design Artists for consultations regarding community engagement, design, fabrication, and installation of public art projects for the Birds and Benches Project over the next two years.

Sign Up Today on our Eventbrite Page

OAC Eventbrite Page

Ten new Art Benches in and around North Natomas Regional Park

Satellite image of a large undeveloped area in the middle of suburban housing. open_in_full

Ten Art Benches will be installed inspired by the avian life and history of the area.

Birds and Benches Project Taking Flight

The Birds and Benches in Natomas Public Art project is set to begin as we open with our Mentor Artist Presentation Series.

Mentor Artist Presentations run through May 2026.

Find more details and register today on our Eventbrite page at:

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/city-of-sacramento-office-of-arts-and-culture-111372511261

or by following the link below.

       

 

Project Outline

Funded through the City of Sacramento’s 2% for public art ordinance, the Sacramento Office of Arts and Culture (OAC) Art in Public Places (APP) program has been tasked with management of a new Artist Designed Benches Project in North Natomas Regional Park (NNRP) named Birds and Benches. 

The project will have two phases to support robust community engagement:

Phase 1 - Five (5) Artist Ambassadors to engage with five careholder organizations AND

Phase 2 – Ten (10) artists for the design and fabrication of up to 10 artist made benches.

The ideal envisioned bench design will enhance the community atmosphere of the site while celebrating the bird life of the Natomas Basin, focusing on areas in the park where visitors can enjoy resting and viewing avian species as well as other areas determined through conversations with project careholder organizations and community participants.

ARTIST CALL CLOSED JULY 28, 2025 

 

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 - August 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

                   

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