Photo: Contributed

Local artists have added some flair to downtown benches.

While they normally go unnoticed, several benches in downtown Vernon are getting a lot of attention after they were turned into works of art.

Dauna Kennedy Grant, Vernon Public Art Gallery executive director, said the benches were one of the artistic projects for the annual Riot on the Roof, held last week atop the Vernon parkade.

While it may seem an odd place to hold an artistic social gathering, Kennedy Grant said some 700 people attended the seventh annual event that features all forms of art from dance to wearable art to music and everything in between.

“It's such a unique event to be able to host it in the parkade on the rooftop. When night falls, it's a beautiful venue,” said Kennedy Grant, adding people were dancing under the stars.

This year, four benches were decorated. Last year, two were done and all of them will be in the downtown core.

The bench project was done in conjunction with the Downtown Vernon Association and the City of Vernon.