A unique fundraiser is under way to benefit the Peopleplace Cooperative Preschool and its scholarship fund, which helps cover tuition for families who need assistance. Local artists, in partnership with local businesses, have decorated wooden benches that are being placed around town for use by the public, and they are all up for auction. At the end of the summer (August 27), the auction will close, and the winning bidders will be able to pick up their bench. The Camden Select Board at its regularly scheduled July 12 meeting endorsed the temporary placement of the benches, waiving the ordinance for the duration of the fundraising effort. The Peopleplace auction is hosted at bit.ly/artbenches, where the public is able to donate or place bids.

The 12 benches have been decorated by Colin Page, Amy Wilton, Avery Reed, Ariana Killoran, Eric Darling, Rebecca Leclerc, Peopleplace students, Annie Bailey, Chelsea Cartwright, John Merritt, Andy Obst, and Erin Bagley/Seana Murphy.

The benches are sponsored by Laugh Loud Smile Big, S.E.A. (Stewardship Education Alliance), WolfPeach, the Waterfront, The Smiling Cow, Zoot, Allen Insurance, Steel Pro, Harbor Dogs, Peter Otts, Small Wonder Gallery and Serendipity.

They can be seen outside Laugh Loud Smile Big, the boardwalk by the Camden Harbor Master's office, Allen Agency, WolfPeach, the waterfront, Harbor Dogs, Peter Ott’s, Small Wonder and Serendipity. Also there will be a couple scattered around town parks, and the boardwalk

Peopleplace, on Union Street in Rockport, is a cooperative preschool, where parents are partners in their child education. The curriculum is focused on the outdoors and exploration of Camden and Rockport. Parents help in a variety of ways, such as snack helpers, board members, snow shovelers, and many other roles to support the program.