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Finishing the project: ‘Spirit of Shepherdstown’ bench painting to end this weekend

By Tabitha Johnston - Chronicle Staff | Sep 18, 2020
Chris Steffey, owner and operator of Steffey Painting, recreates a brown marmorated stink bug-inspired painting on a bench, which he had originally painted on canvas. The invasive species has developed a symbiotic relationship with other local residents, which Steffey considers representative of Shepherdstown's inclusive mindset.
Shepherdstown artist Rose Sanders paints a bench, featuring McMurran Hall, Town Run and The Wall -- local locations that played significant roles in the lives of children, like Sanders, who grew up in Shepherdstown in the 1990s and 2000s.
Alisha Hanlin, of Shepherdstown, paused in the middle of painting this bench on the lawn of Trinity Episcopal Church on Saturday afternoon. The bench's design incorporated images of Hanlin's favorite Shepherdstown memories, including bonfires, moonshine in mason jars, the Potomac River and music.

SHEPHERDSTOWN — The “Spirit of Shepherdstown” Bench Project, organized by Shepherdstown Shares, will be completed this weekend, as its 10th bench is painted on Trinity Episcopal Church’s lawn. Black artist Nash Hill will be painting a Black Lives Matter-inspired bench this weekend, at a sponsor’s request. The project may be resumed in the future, according to organizer Annie Wisecarver, if sponsors for more benches come forward.