Winona Art Commission Chooses Artwork For Heritage Trail, Seeking Donors
WINONA LAKE — The Winona Art Commission has accepted four proposals for artwork representing the history of Winona Lake to be placed along the north leg of the Heritage Trail. This portion of the Heritage Trail is the newest leg and runs from the south leg of the Trail, across Pierceton and terminates at the south end of the Grace College Campus. The information for each sculpture is listed below:
Winona Lake/Eagle Lake—Originally named Eagle Lake, the 562-acre sparkling freshwater Winona Lake is the centerpiece gem of the Winona community. It provides recreation, relaxation and inspiration to all. Winona Lake will be represented by a group of pillars representing fall, winter and spring. This proposal was created by Andrew Tomasik.
Tabernacle/Billy Sunday—The now-extinct 7,500-seat wooden tabernacle, with its wooden benches, sawdust floors and massive stage, provided the area’s largest concert and meeting venue for many years. Named for famed evangelist Billy Sunday, the tabernacle hosted the brightest and best of performers, musicians, speakers and preachers. The Tabernacle and Billy Sunday will be represented through a metal flame entitled “Fire”, created by Ben Solee.
Winona Queen—Throughout the years, a series of watercraft bearing the name “Winona Queen” carried tourists and celebrities around the waters of Winona Lake. Formats included steamers, paddlewheelers, houseboats and eventually a pontoon boat. The Winona Queen will be represented by an interactive piece that resembles a boat wheelhouse, also created by Ben Solee.
Indians—First the Miamis, then the Potawatomis occupied the southern and eastern shores of Winona Lake until being forcibly removed by the U.S. government in 1838. Treaties opened the way for the first white settlers and, eventually, for the Beyer Brothers to found a town in 1881. The first residents of this area will be illustrated with a sculpture created by Steve Perry depicting a wolf, horse and canoe.
Over the next several weeks the members of the Winona Art Commission will be seeking potential donors to provide the funds to create these sculptures along the Heritage Trail. The pieces that will be created, along with the artist, are listed below.
The amount needed to support each sculpture, memorial bench and a plaque identifying the artwork is $8,000. $6,000 will go to the artist while the combined cost of the bench and plaque will be $2,000, to account for the $8,000.
Should any local resident have an interest in sponsoring any of these sculptures please contact Rick Swaim by email at [email protected], or call the Town of Winona Lake at (574) 267-7581