The brightly colored resin figures of Joan Benefiel and Jeremy Leichman are back in town this fall, and this time they’re even taller and more intriguing.

The brightly colored resin figures of Joan Benefiel and Jeremy Leichman are back in town this fall, and this time they’re even taller and more intriguing. The Brooklyn-based couple’s works graced Purchase Street and the Rye Arts Center lawn in 2012 during the celebrated “Beyond Rodin” exhibition there.

“We knew the pieces worked in an urban setting,” said Benefiel, “and it has been fun for us to see them playing off the park landscape features this time.”
Made from translucent resin, the sculptures change color and brilliance as the light changes throughout the day.

“Joan and Jeremy have come up with some very creative ways to make use of our natural land forms and wildlife pond to exhibit these works,” said Bill Lawyer, Assistant Director for Park Development.

The works are mainly from the artists’ “Hudson River Pilings” series, which were originally conceived to become monumental-sized sculptures balancing on the tops of the old wooden pier pilings in the Hudson near Tribeca.

Six of their “Cast in Light: Landscape Refelctions” are now situated in Rye Town Park. A public reception and tour will be held Sunday, October 4 from 4-6, near the flagpole. The show runs through November 1.

The exhibit is part of an ongoing commitment to bring public art and sculpture to town, under the guidance of the Rye Arts Center. “We are planning a number of installations over the next year and are working with the nonprofits, City, and County to create funding,” noted Bob Clyatt, a local sculptor involved in the projects.

— Photos of sculpture by Joan Benefiel and Jeremy Leichman by Robin Jovanovich