The benches are back.

For the third year, community decorated benches have been placed throughout Auburn to be enjoyed throughout the summer.

BenchMarks, the popular community art program was initiated in 2015, and works with local community groups to paint, carve and otherwise artistically alter plain wooden benches into works of sit-able art.

The benches, built by the Green River College Carpentry Division, appear throughout Auburn – in parks, along the sidewalks and in neighborhoods where people gather.

A number of community groups stepped forward to take on the challenge of modifying a bench and the results are diverse, interesting and fun.

Each bench has signage about the bench creators and a smart-phone mobile tour (www.stqry.com) with the locations of all the benches throughout town.

BenchMarks is coordinated through the City of Auburn, Parks, Arts & Recreation Division. For information on BenchMarks or other cultural arts programs, visit www.auburnwa.gov/arts or call 253-931-3043.