Five Points Bench
Artist
Gary Gresko
Oriental, North Carolina
Date Installed
2009
Medium
Welded steel, African teak, and rocks
Location
Southern Trace: Five Points, Freeman Mill Road ramp
Made Possible By
The Ellison Foundation
Collection
Part of the Neighborhood Benches Collection along with
- Western Branch: north of Guilford Avenue crossing
- Western Branch: between W. Market Street/W. McGee Street
- Southern Trace: Five Points, Freeman Mill Road ramp
- Western Branch: Morehead Park, Spring Garden Street and Edgeworth Street
- Southern Trace: Carolyn Coleman Way and Arlington Street
- Southern Trace: Bragg Street and Martin Luther King Jr Drive
- Eastern Way: Murrow Boulevard and East Market Street
- Northern Passage: Murrow Boulevard and Chestnut Street
- Northern Passage: LoFi Park, North Eugene Street and West Smith Street
Description
This bench represents the Warnersville neighborhood. Warnersville, Greensboro’s first African American community, was once known as Five Points, and so the number five is a repeated symbol in this work. The five words etched into the back of each chair were chosen by residents to describe the essence of their neighborhood and its history. African teak was used as the material for the five seats that make up the bench, while the five rocks that create a backdrop for the piece were unearthed at the original site for installation. The rocks symbolize the bedrock that Warnersville has been for the people who live there, as well as the role it has played as the foundation for the African American community in Greensboro. The semi-circular design with individual seating was used to create an inviting “front porch” feel that the artist hopes will encourage conversation and communication.
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