Three concepts accepted for pieces along trail in Decorah

Sun May 18 2008
Posted May 18, 2008
7,064

By SARAH STRANDBERG, Courier Correspondent DECORAH --- Three artists received commissions for artwork for the new Trout Run Trail, recommended by members of the public art committee. City and county officials overseeing the trail project recently approved three pieces, pending approval of final drawings and contracts: A ceramic tile mosaic with a limestone cap and base by Dean Schwarz of Decorah. A steel arch representing flowing water and fish titled "River Horizon Archway" by Bounnak Thammavong of Iowa City. A bronze figure adapted to a sketch titled "Walking with Birds" by Doug Freeman of Minneapolis. Freeman is a 1975 graduate of Luther College. Thammavong visited the area several times to trout fish, which helped inspire his proposal, committee chairman John Hjelle said. Eleven artists submitted concepts for the 12-mile recreational trail being developed around the city. "(The committee's) goal from the start was to acquire a diverse pool of quality art proposals and to lead an open public process to showcase the art," Hjelle said. "It was exciting to see all of the different proposals and discuss the merits of each, but the rating process was difficult because all of the work was of such good quality." The goal, he added, was to attract "significant pieces that people could identify with." "I think we've got those," Hjelle said. By acting now, Hjelle said artists will have a full year to create, install and finalize the pieces by June 30, 2009. The public art component of the trail project received a $100,000 grant from the Vision Iowa Board as part of a $1.6 million Community Attractions and Tourism grant awarded in June 2006. Anyone interested in making a donation to the art or trail projects can call Trails of Winneshiek members Mike Harman at (563) 382-2020, Harlan Satrom at (563) 382-8115 or Mike Huinker at (563) 382-1548. Efforts so far have generated $1.1 million toward the local fundraising goal for the trail of $1.2 million. Total cost of the project is $7 million. Construction started last year and will continue. By fall, Huinker said an eight-mile stretch from the city's west side to south of the Decorah Trout Hatchery should be available for use. Contact Sarah Strandberg at newsroom@wcfcourier.com.