Stanley Francis Bennett

I am reminded of the artistry of Stan on a daily basis. He crafted 2 Magic Marble Machines for my 60th birthday just a year before his death. My grandchildren are fascinated by his machines, and they are a delight for everyone. Thank you, Stan, for the fascination I see in their eyes.

So happy to share in the memory of Stan Bennett. We are fortunate to have visited his studio in Ferndale for many years and then became proud owners of 2 of his Magic Marble Machines. The marble machines are a source of enjoyment for our grandchildren & will be a wonderful treasure to pass on as part of our legacy. Thank you so much Stan...may your memory be for a blessing!

Stanley is remembered almost daily as we look at the 2 wonderful Marble Machines in our house. We remember years of stopping by to see him at his workshop in Fetndale, marveling at his craftsmanship. Now our grandkids can enjoy his craftsmanship when they sit and watch the marbles roll & “step” down ladders & ring bells! So glad to have met him.

I has glimpsed Stanley's work at a shop in La Jolla in 1990, and subsequently contacted him to arrange a commission. He built the perfect, personalized piece, and delivered it to my home in Nevada, by pickup truck, and stayed for a while. We absolutely enjoyed him, and continue to enjoy his machine. RIP

I first saw Stan Bennett's amazing Magic Marble Machines at The Pizza Machine restaurant in Danville, CA, in the 1970's. Everyone loved watching these ingenious kinetic sculptures as we waited for pizza.
In 2002, thanks to the technology of internet searches, I was able to find out who made the wire marble machines that had been at The Pizza Machine, and I tracked down Stan in Ferndale. We visited him in September 2002, and purchased a wonderful Marble Machine from him, which he modified...

Stan Bennett and his fabulous sculptures will be greatly missed. My family enjoyed many years of visiting his studio and I personally always talked to him about his art. I was fortunate to ask Stan to build 2 marble machines for me in 2010 for my anticipated 60th birthday in 2011. They will be pieces of art that I pass on to my children as a way to remember the wonderful times we had visiting Stan in Ferndale, CA... may he rest in peace.
Thank you Stan for all the memories.

Our encounter with Stan was nine years ago. I had purchased the last of remaining restaurants "The Pizza Machine" in Danville,Ca. Stan was commissioned to build Magic Marble Machines for each of the five pizza parlors in the early 70's. The marble machines were quite large averaging 3 feet high x 12 feet long.
In an dark obscure corner of my newly acquired pizza parlor, I noticed a dusty, neglected strange wire sculpture. Curious, I began to tinker with it and to my amazement the...

I grew up with one of Stan's amazing marble machines in our home in Washington. As a child I loved it for its energy and complexity to keep the marbles moving--anticipating the next marble about to make a bell ring or whirl through a funnel. As an adult I've come to appreciate the true creativity and craftsmanship that went into the sculpture. This Christmas my 3 year old nephew fell in love with the machine--jumping up and down watching it work--a whole new generation in love with the...

Kara Lynn, we were so saddened to learn of Stan's passing. We cherish the pieces we have of his. You are in our hearts.
Love,
Suzanne and Jon McBride
Palm Desert