The Benches

"One can participate in the art that this bench is by simply sitting in it."

Bamberg, Matt "Piece it Together" The Desert Sun, Palm Springs, 5 Nov. 2000, F1. print.

The eye-catching bench was originally commissioned in 2000 by Heiress-in-Chief Diane Matzner, then owner of the Palm Springs stores Mosaic, La Mariposa, and Aristokatz. Artist Harvey Silverman spent nearly a month piecing together the tile, ceramic, and other materials over a solid concrete form. The completed bench weighs nearly one ton, and truly is very comfortable.

An enthusiastic supporter of art in public places, Diane installed the bench in front of the two Plaza Mercado Center stores (Mosaic and La Mariposa), where it immediately drew tons of attention. It has been featured in several newspaper articles, widely photographed, and is rumored to have been the site of at least one marriage proposal.

The bench traveled with Diane across country for several years. When she opened Ocean Heir in Cambria, in October 2012, the bench found a new home in the courtyard of the Shops at the Garden Shed where all us Heiresses enjoy watching the delight it brings our visitors every day.

The Bench at HART

Cat Bench

All us Heiresses share a common love of animals and a passion for animal rescue. The marquee annual fundraiser for our local animal shelter HART is "Wines, Pines, and Felines." Ocean Heir, among many local businesses, has made regular donations towards the raffle.

Ocean Heir's support of HART is much deeper than a simple raffle donation. Another of Diane's public art creations, a painted metal sculpture bench, originally commissioned for her Aristokatz store has been donated to Hart, where it sits proudly on the grounds of the facility at 2638 Main street in Cambria.

On September 4, 2014 the bench (lovingly repainted by local artist Judy Lyon) was unveiled at a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the opening of the newly revamped HART gift shop (vamping provided by our Heiress-in-Chief). The shop is chock full interesting and useful stuff, to help you care for, pamper, and proclaim your love for your special pet.

Judy Lyon (left) with Diane Matzner

Really, HART is a very special organization and a terrific asset to our community. The Main street shelter is an impressive accomplishment, and is worth a visit whether you are looking to adopt, shop, or just take a tour. Join all the Heiress in our support of HART, every little bit helps!