Project Blog
with artist SammyJo Miller
Mountain Lake
Sculpture Bench
Above: first concept drawing
Above: a fundraiser event held at the library in support of the new bench
I’ve had the joy of beginning a new public art adventure in Mountain Lake, Minnesota, designing a custom art bench that will live outside the Mountain Lake Public Library.
Like many of my projects, this one started with pencils and paper. I met with Library Director Daniel Mick to explore ideas, materials, and site possibilities. Daniel brings a genuine enthusiasm for community enrichment, and his input helped shape the initial concept drawings, organic curves, playful detail, and a design that invites people to sit, stay, and read a book.
From the start, this project has been about more than just a place to sit, it’s about creating a gathering space, a quiet moment, a memorial to people who help shape the community of the Mountain Lake.
In these early stages, Daniel has been reaching out to local organizations and residents to gather support and invite input. Conversations at the library, casual chats at community events, and model previews have all been part of building excitement for what’s to come. It’s already clear: Mountain Lake is ready for this bench to become part of its story.
As we move into the next phase, refining the design and preparing for fabrication. I’ll be sharing updates here. Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes glimpses of the process!
Behind the Scenes: Fabricating the Mountain Lake Bench
With the design finalized and community support in full swing, the Mountain Lake Bench moved into its next exciting phase: fabrication!
This sculpture couldn’t have come to life without the support of some amazing partners. First, a huge thank-you to Midway Iron & Metal in St. Cloud, MN. Their dedication to quality and willingness to explore artistic metalwork made it possible to move from sketches and scale drawings to a solid, durable structure that will stand the test of time.
After fabrication, the bench was sent to All Pro Powder Coating in Waite Park, MN. Their team applied a tough, vibrant finish that protects the sculpture from weather. It’s a critical step that turns raw metal into public art.
Once coated and cured, the sculpture was picked up by Brad Gisch, of Lamberton, MN, who has generously offered to store it on his property until installation day. Having someone in the community step up like this is just another reminder of the incredible support behind this project.
Each step brings us closer to seeing the bench in its final home near the library.
Adding Heart: Leaves, Books, and Personal Touches
As the Mountain Lake Bench nears installation, more details are being added to deepen its connection to the community, and to celebrate the people who make this place special.
One of the most meaningful additions is a set of hand-painted metal leaves, each one carrying a donor’s name or honoring a loved one. These leaves will become a permanent part of the sculpture, turning the bench into a living tribute to the people who support it, past and present. Every leaf is unique, and together they tell a collective story of care, generosity, and remembrance.
Another key feature is a striking stack of books, welded from layers of solid sheet steel. This sculptural element was created by Jason Smith of St. Cloud, whose incredible skill brought weight and dimension to the vision. Each book weighs over 100 pounds, giving the bench a bold, grounded presence that honors the importance of reading, storytelling, and lifelong learning.
Once the books were complete, I brought them into my studio to begin the next step: creating sculptural spines. This is where traditional meets experimental, using fiberglass techniques typically reserved for car rust repairs, I’m sculpting textured, lifelike book spines that will blend seamlessly with the steel forms. It’s a labor-intensive process, but one that allows for depth, detail, and durability in an outdoor setting.
These components, donor leaves and heavy metal books, are about more than aesthetics. They’re about roots, memory, and imagination. The bench is becoming more than a place to sit: it’s a story in steel.
Story in Steel: Painting the Book Stack
As the final installation approaches, one of my favorite details of the Mountain Lake Bench Project is taking shape, the stack of sculpted books.
This week, I’ve been deep in the painting process, transforming solid steel into the look and feel of well-loved library books. It’s a layered, hands-on process that’s part sculpture, part storytelling.
Here’s a peek behind the scenes:
• First, each book was primed to prepare the metal for paint.
• Then I applied a base coat of black to create depth and shadows.
• Using a dry-brush technique, I slowly layered in color, building that classic, weathered book look.
• The pages were painted separately, then treated with a washed-out effect to mimic age and texture.
• Finally, gold accents were added to the spines to give them a little timeless charm.
The finishing touch? Text was added to the spine of each book, acknowledging the incredible group of people and organizations who made this project possible. It also includes a small artist credit, a quiet signature on this collaborative work of public art.
All that’s left to apply is a protective seal coat before these books are installed at the base of the sculpture on Friday.
It’s been such a meaningful process, and I can’t wait for you to see how these painted books complete the sculpture at Saturday’s unveiling!
A Small Delay and a Spray Paint Scramble
The Mountain Lake Bench is almost ready to greet the community, but due to the high humidity this week, we’ve had to make a slight adjustment to our timeline. The final seal coat on the sculpture needs time to fully cure, and the moisture in the air just wouldn’t let it set properly in time for the original event.
The good news? We’re back on track, and the new unveiling date is set for Wednesday at 4 PM at the Mountain Lake Public Library!
In the meantime, finishing touches continue, and today brought one of those classic behind-the-scenes moments. While seal coating the hand-painted donor leaves, I accidentally grabbed a can of white spray paint instead of the clear sealant. With a fast grab for the acetone, I was able to reverse most of the damage, but I still had to carefully repaint two names by hand. A small mishap, but one that perfectly captures the mix of precision, persistence, and occasional panic that goes into public art!
Every brushstroke and bolt is part of the journey, and I can’t wait to share this sculpture with you all very soon. Thank you for your patience, support, and enthusiasm throughout this project!
Breaking Ground: Installation Begins!
Today marked a major milestone for the Mountain Lake Bench Project, we officially began installation!
The day started bright and early with Nick Kulseth blocking out the concrete pad that will anchor the sculpture. With precision and experience, Nick laid the groundwork for what will soon be a permanent landmark at the Mountain Lake Public Library.
By the afternoon, my team arrived on site to begin the careful process of mounting the tree sculpture into its new home. This was no small task, the tree is made up of four large, interlocking steel sections, each one very heavy. Before any pieces could be placed, we:
• Installed custom mounting brackets to the base
• Dug trenches for secure placement
• Carefully set each tree section, one by one
• Bolted the sculpture together, aligning every piece
We were lucky to have help from Library Director Daniel Mick, who rolled up his sleeves and assisted with setting the tree sections into place. It was definitely a team effort, and one that brought a lot of laughs and a great sense of accomplishment.
Tomorrow, the concrete will be poured, giving the sculpture its final foundation. From there, we’ll move into finishing touches and preparations for Saturday’s community unveiling.
We’re so close now—and seeing the tree take root in its new home is a moment I won’t forget.
Curveballs, Creativity, and a Lot of Problem-Solving
Like many public art projects, the final stages of installing the Mountain Lake Bench have brought some unexpected challenges, and opportunities to get creative on the job.
While assembling the sculpture onsite, we ran into machining issues that affected how some parts fit together. It meant drilling new holes, adjusting existing ones, and reworking connections on the fly. I also had to revisit my old frenemy: adhesives, not my favorite tools, but sometimes, they’re what gets the job done!
To complicate things further, while the sculpture was stored onsite overnight between install days, there was minor damage to the powder coat. While disheartening, my team and I acted quickly to begin repairs and ensure the piece still meets our high standards for quality and durability.
These moments have been tough, especially after so much time and care has gone into this project. But I’m incredibly proud of the way we’ve pulled together, adapted, and kept moving forward. The heart of this sculpture remains strong, and I can’t wait for you to see it in its full form on Wednesday.
Every artwork has its story. This one includes a few surprises, and a lot of persistence.
The Last Push: Assembling the Final Details
In the final days before the unveiling of the Mountain Lake Bench, the focus shifted to the last, and in many ways, most technical, steps of the installation process.
The donor leaves were carefully adhered to the tree, each one placed by hand. These leaves, carrying the names of library supporters and loved ones, bring life and personal meaning to the sculpture. It was important that each was secure, positioned with intention, and sealed for long-term durability.
Next, we set the bench in place, adjusting it to align with the tree and its surroundings. This involved drilling a new anchor hole to secure the bench and correcting misaligned holes that had been discovered during earlier assembly.
Drilling through the existing steel wasn’t easy. The original mounting holes were plasma cut, leaving behind hardened edges that aren’t exactly drill-friendly. To tackle the problem, I needed specialized tools and materials, which, thanks to the support of the local community, I was able to source nearby.
A huge thank-you goes to Country Pride True Value in Mountain Lake for stepping in with the tools, materials, and knowledge needed to get the job done. Their help made all the difference during a critical moment in the process.
These last few days were full of problem-solving, precision work, and creative thinking, very much in keeping with the spirit of the project as a whole. I’m so proud of what we accomplished, and so grateful for the community that helped us get across the finish line.
Next up: the unveiling!
A Moment to Celebrate: The Mountain Lake Bench Unveiling
On a sunny Wednesday afternoon, the Mountain Lake Bench was officially unveiled at the public library, marking the end of a long creative journey, and the beginning of a new chapter for this public space.
It was a modest gathering, but one filled with warmth. Community members, children, and families came out to see the sculpture in person, joined by a representative from the local paper who helped document the occasion. Seeing so many familiar faces—some who supported the project from the start, made the moment all the more special.
Daniel Mick, Director of the Mountain Lake Public Library, gave a thoughtful presentation about the project’s development, the vision behind it, and what it means to the library and wider community. His words reflected the heart of this sculpture: a place for reflection, remembrance, and gathering.
To add a little fun to the day, we held a raffle for attendees, several lucky visitors went home with Mountain Lake Public Library travel mugs!
After the short presentation, the event shifted into a casual social hour. Community members asked questions about the design, materials, and process, and many took a moment to express their gratitude for the sculpture and the work behind it. Hearing those responses was deeply meaningful and reminded me why public art matters: it brings people together, tells a shared story, and creates space for connection.
Thank you to everyone who came, supported, or simply paused to enjoy the sculpture as they passed by. The Mountain Lake Bench is now officially part of the community, and I can’t wait to see it become a quiet backdrop to conversations, reading time, and everyday life.