Meet the Artist Behind One of Palm Springs’ Most Colorful Public Art Projects
Originally published Feb. 10, 2022 | Updated April 2026
Since this interview was first published, the painted bench program in Palm Springs has grown into one of the city’s most vibrant public art initiatives. Artist Tysen Knight helped spark the movement, transforming everyday spaces into bold, expressive works of art that visitors can still explore throughout downtown today.
From pop culture icons to street art influences, these benches have become an interactive way to experience the city—whether you’re walking, biking, or discovering Palm Springs’ ever-evolving creative scene.
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The Artist Behind the Benches
There is a direct line between art and society. The simple swoop of a brushstroke can connect the viewer and the creator, the public and the private. Artistic expression is a two-way street that invites observation and reflection—and nobody understands this dichotomy better than Tysen Knight.
“I describe my style as pop urban art with a little splash of fine art in there,” Tysen explains. “I draw inspiration from all those different mediums. I started out as a graffiti artist and painting on jeans for kids at school when I was in high school, and things of that nature. But I was still fascinated with fine art, so I could kind of blend those together. I can do fine art. I can do pop art. I can do graffiti art, so I just came up with my own coin, my own phrase: pop urban art.”
Tysen’s aesthetic has helped transform benches around Palm Springs into veritable conversation pieces. Their electric array of colors invigorates the city’s already iconic landscape.
“Palm Springs definitely has its own unique, actually beautiful style. I think the modernism and the architecture are amazing. I just feel as though I was able to bring a style that was different and we were able to kind of gel it together.”
From Film to Public Art Movement
The now-iconic painted benches project began with a different creative vision.
“I came up with an idea to produce a street art documentary,” Tysen recounts. “I submitted it to film festivals, and they got selected for the AmDocs Film Festival right here in Palm Springs at the Camelot Theater.”
That moment led to a key collaboration with the Palm Springs Arts Commission. Together, they developed the concept that would bring art into everyday public spaces.
“We were able to get it all laid out, and I started in July of 2019, the hottest day of the summer,” Tysen notes with a reflective chuckle.
What began as a pilot project quickly grew in scale and impact.
“They granted the funds, and they gave the approval to do it as a test pilot project, just to see how the community reacted to it… The first set of benches, I did 11; the first set was kind of, they wanted icons.”
A Celebration of Iconic Artists and Culture
Tysen’s early designs featured a mix of pop culture figures and influential artists, creating an accessible entry point for the public.
“The inaugural series included icons like Elvis, Marilyn, and Andy Warhol, but also artists like Basquiat and Keith Haring,” he explains. “Most people knew who Andy Warhol was, but they weren’t too familiar with Keith Haring and Basquiat… I think that was something that we was able to educate people on.”
By blending familiar figures with artistic influences, the benches became more than decoration—they became a form of cultural storytelling.
Building a Community Through Art
As the project expanded, so did its impact on the local creative community.
“We were able to employ over 40-something artists,” Tysen says. “I looked around, and I didn’t see any other city that did this to this magnitude.”
The initiative brought together a diverse group of artists, each contributing their own perspective while adding new layers to the city’s visual identity.
“Just being able to bring other artists into the fold… not changing the whole dynamic of the art scene here, but just adding more layers and elements.”
Where to See the Painted Benches in Palm Springs
Today, the Painted Benches of Palm Springs are scattered throughout downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, making them easy to explore on a day out.
You’ll find benches near:
- Downtown Palm Springs along Palm Canyon Drive
- Local shopping districts and public gathering spaces
- Art-focused neighborhoods and creative corridors
They’re best experienced as part of a self-guided walking or biking tour, allowing you to discover each design at your own pace. Many visitors incorporate bench-hopping into a broader exploration of murals, galleries, and public art installations across the city.
Experiencing Palm Springs Through Public Art
The painted benches are just one piece of a larger, ever-growing public art scene. Combined with murals, sculptures, and gallery spaces, they reflect the creative spirit that defines Palm Springs today.
Whether you’re exploring on foot, by bike, or as part of a guided experience, these colorful works offer a unique way to connect with the city—one bench at a time.
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A Lasting Creative Legacy
For Tysen Knight, the power of art lies in its ability to connect people and expand perspectives.
“A lot of artists and people here appreciate different genres of art, but they’ve probably never been exposed to it,” he says. “So I think that's a good thing that we're able to expose people to other forms of art.”
What began as a pilot project has become a defining feature of Palm Springs’ public art landscape—one that continues to evolve and inspire.
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