The Secret Bench of Knowledge
The Secret Bench of Knowledge is a sculpture in the City of Bonita Springs, created by Lea Vivot, a Canadian sculptor. The sculpture sits near the sidewalk on Old 41 across from Riverside Park and in front of the Sheriff’s office and local library in the heart of the city. It initially was in Naples Florida until people complained that it had suggestive imagery, and it was removed. Vivot has created seven of the same benches, and the original is currently in the Wellington Street Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa. The bench is a little boy holding an apple and whispering in a little girl’s ear. In Bonita, you will oftentimes see flowers in the little girl’s hand. The picture of the girl's foot carries the signature of the artist and the commissioned date. The sculpture captures youthful and innocent love that may be experienced on a playground. The sculpture is lifelike and at times, as I have driven by, have taken a double look thinking someone was sitting there. As you can see from the picture, someone put flowers in both the boy’s and the girl’s hands. Today they are wilted, so it is possible that in a few days, someone will replace them. The sculpture has several inscriptions on the bench that are inspirational and things that kids on a playground would have carved. The full round sculpture was the first outdoor artwork placed in the city in 2003 and in 2005 the city purchased the piece. It took much effort led by the mayor’s wife to get the city to agree to purchase it, to save the bench. Having artwork such as the bench, leaves a sense of beauty and love for the city. It shows that the city cares about what it looks like and that they were willing to add character and charm to the outdoor spaces that people call home and wanted people to appreciate the place they reside. Since then, there have been several other sculptures placed in and around the park which add to the allure of the park. The sculptures and openness of the park with its large oaks make it inviting for all. At any given time, you can drive by and see many people sitting on park benches just talking, sitting quietly, or enjoying a meal. Having artwork such as The Secret Bench of Knowledge is integral to the life of our city and places, we call home.