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New downtown banners designed by local artist

Kim Corpian-Tesar doesn't have to go far to check out her latest project. Take a walk through Prairie du Chien's downtown streets, and her work is hard for anyone to miss. Kim is the talented artist who designed the colorful banners that are now decorating downtown lamp posts.

"It's really nice to be able to do something like that for your own community," said Kim.

Kim heard early this spring that the Prairie du Chien Downtown Revitalization Inc. was looking for ideas for the banners. With 17 years of experience with graphic design she thought she should give it a try.

Kim graduated from WWTC in La Crosse with an associate's degree in commercial art and is currently employed by the Shopping News as their graphic designer, so coming up with original ideas is nothing new to her.

"I wanted something that stood out," said Kim, "and I knew I wanted it to be colorful and bright." The Boscobel native also said while the river was the most obvious thing, she also tried to think of things that she and her family like to do, such as camping, fishing and boating, then tried to incorporate those interests into her designs.

After only one afternoon of designing, Kim submitted her ideas. She then got a call back from the design committee, saying that they were interested in her designs. Kim soon joined the committee, and together they decided which designs to use, along with which colors and wording best represented Prairie du Chien.

After several long months of planning and designing, the banners are now displayed for all to see. According to Kim one important push was to get the banners up in time for Governor Doyle's visit on July 6.

The Downtown Revitalization, Inc. would also like people to know that banners are still available for sponsorship. The banners are designed so that whatever business or individual is sponsoring that banner will have their name displayed on the bottom of the banner.

Kim has also been working closely with the promotion committee to design tee-shirts for committee members and volunteers. The tee shirts will have the same artwork from the banners on them, as well as the wording. The shirts will also be available for sale to the public.

Prairie du Chien Downtown Revitalization Inc. board members and downtown merchants will also be selling raffle tickets to help finance downtown projects. The tickets will also be available for purchase at special events and will be sold until August.

The raffle will be for three packages, each valued at over $750. The packages contain gift certificates and prizes from downtown district merchants.

Blackhawk to be the first piece in Mississippi River Sculpture Park

Upon visiting the St. Feriole Island in the summer of 2001, Florence Bird left Prairie du Chien wondering about all of the people who had been on the island before her.

After researching the island's history, she discovered names such as Ho Chunk, Dr. Beaumont, Kickapoo, Marquette and Jolliet, Blackhawk and so many others.

Bird, an accomplished artist, owns a studio in Spring Green where she has been working on a 10 year project, the Missippi River Sculpture Park, to be located on St. Feriole Island. She has hopes of creating 24 life-size bronze sculptures of those named above and more.

"I wanted to try to represent all the different cultures of where the two rivers meet," Bird said.

Bird has already sculpted mini-versions of almost two-thirds of the historical figures, each standing 18-20 inches in height.

However, Bird has nearly finished her first life-sized sculpture, Blackhawk.

He will be taken to Milwaukee where molds will be taken of him for the bronze casting, Bird said.

"It won't be until September or early October until he done," Bird said. "It is a very lengthy process."

Once Blackhawk returns as a bronzed sculpture, he will earn the first spot in the Sculpture Park.

As soon as another donation is made towards the park, Bird will begin on her second life-size sculpture.

Bird is also working on a six foot wide fire circle, which will be the central point of the park. It will consist of bronze plaques, each representing a mythical character or symbol of the many cultures seen on the island.

She also plans on creating a mammoth hunter, riverboat captain, voyager, Mississippian, touring lady, Chippewa elder and an eagle dancer.

Bird held an open house at her studio on Sunday, July 3. However, visitors are still welcome, as long as you notify Bird ahead of time.

For additional information on Florence Bird's Studio or to make a donation, contact Florence at 608-588-2473.