Poet and the Bench was awarded Most Innovative Business in Mill Valley for our support of emerging and independent artists and our connection to community. "They were the rare duo that seemingly had it all dialed in, not just in terms of their aesthetic, but also that they were ready and willing to deeply connect with their business neighbors to establish long-term synchronicity."
Art Matters. “I haven’t thought about this until I heard the other 2 winners speeches, but we are all arts organizations. And in a time in this world where the arts are seeing no funding, galleries in San Francisco are closing, institutions that have been here for a really long time are closing… It’s amazing that we have all managed to do this thing and create community around the arts, and that says a lot also about Mill Valley.
We are a platform for creative place making. It’s as important for us to welcome the artists, all of whom are emerging and independent artists and designers… as it is to create an environment for community and conversation. This aspect as proprietors is incredibly rewarding, that we get back so much in the conversation and intimacy that people share.
Art matters. It helps us recognize the beauty within ourselves, it teaches us to see the world differently, it enables us to feel connected. Sometimes we might not even know why. We serve as guides to help you know why a little bit more with our artists’ stories and that’s the poet in Poet and the Bench.
So this is really an honor to receive the award for Most Innovative Business, after 10 years of working together, just the two of us. And we’re excited to announce, in the next of our business, that we are moving to the heart of Downtown Mill Valley at 6 Miller Ave next to Equator Coffee.” ~ Bonnie Powers and Jeffrey Levin, curators
“As a bench worker, it’s a very isolating art and I don’t get to interact with my customers that often and this has allowed me to have that emotional connection with people that I work with. It’s really been such a special, welcoming community here, and I’m truly grateful for this honor.”
~ Jeffrey Levin, jewelry designer, goldsmith