The Very Hungry Caterpillar Book Bench

The Town of Danville is commissioning an artist or artist team to design and paint a book bench intended to encourage reading, provide a place for people to rest, and instill community appreciation of public art. The selected artist will serve as an independent contractor, and the Town will retain ownership of the bench and design, including reproduction rights and physical maintenance. The artist will be credited in all uses of the bench.

The design must be original and transformative in nature—not direct copies of book covers or illustrated scenes from books. The design should cover the entire bench (front, sides, and back). The bench dimensions are 48 inches wide, 38 inches tall, and 38 inches deep, weighing approximately 110 pounds. Artists must be able to physically handle moving the bench or have an assistant. The selected artist is responsible for picking up and returning the bench to the Danville Community Center at 420 Front Street, providing their own painting supplies, and adhering to the approved design without changes. The Town will provide a clear graffiti varnish for the final protective layer.

Compensation is $1,000, paid upon project completion following submission of an invoice and W-9 form. Submissions must include bench sketches showing four angles (front, back, and both sides) as separate JPEG files. The submission deadline is October 17, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. PST. Finalists will be notified by October 27, 2025. Bench pickup is December 15-19, 2025, with completion due January 26-30, 2025. The book bench will be unveiled at the Recreation Expo and Open House on February 7 at the Danville Library and Community Center. Eligibility requires residency in one of the nine SF Bay Area Counties and a minimum age of 16. Experience with public art is preferred. Selection criteria include clarity of design, originality, vibrancy of color, and appropriateness for all audiences.