I was asked by Downtown Green Bay to design a project for their first annual Art Fest, a festival centered around art and culture to enliven the downtown area. The organizers wanted the project to be collaborative, engaging the community in a meaningful way. It was suggested that the medium be clay, offering a new dimension for community art in Green Bay. While Yonder has designed several paint-by-number murals, we had yet to venture into clay, making this a unique opportunity to expand our repertoire.
After contemplating the subject matter, I decided that the Fox River would serve as an ideal inspiration. The river is a vital lifeline, dividing Green Bay into two halves and playing a significant role in the city's history and development. The chosen location for the final installation was 238 E Walnut Street, on a retaining wall by a parking garage. This wide expanse was perfect for a horizontal representation of the river, allowing for an expansive, detailed portrayal.
To reflect the region's rich natural heritage, I sketched flora and fauna that provided initial resources for the area’s development, both before and after European colonization. Our team, including Jenny VandenLangenberg, Jen Metcalf, Laura Schley, Keith Carter, Carrie Dorski, and others, met to discuss the design and the process of bringing it to life. Keith Carter, with his expertise in clay, was instrumental in guiding our approach.
The collaborative aspect of the project was designed to span two days, July 29th and 30th. On the first day, participating artists would scribe imagery into clay tablets or add low relief clay to create additive textures. On the second day, these pieces would be colored with glaze, adding vibrancy and depth to the artwork. After many months of drying in Keith's studio, he and his wife, Sarah Carter, meticulously prepared the panels for installation. The mural was installed on November 11th and dedicated on November 21st.
The dedication ceremony was attended by our team, representatives from Capital Credit Union, including Kendra Leppard, Anders Goderstad, and Steve Zich, as well as Wisconsin Arts Board Chair, Brian Kelsey. During the dedication, I had the opportunity to speak about the project from a designer's perspective. While I provided the initial sketch to kickstart the vision, the project’s success was due to the collaborative efforts of many individuals. The community played a crucial role, even submitting title ideas. "Spirit of the Fox" was chosen, beautifully encapsulating the project’s essence and my original impetus: to create a communal artwork celebrating our powerful river and its spirit.
This project not only brought the community together but also highlighted the potential for future collaborative endeavors in Green Bay. We look forward to many more projects that unite and celebrate our vibrant community through art.
