 The city of Storm Lake branched out with the Storm Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau this week as a new community project creating art out of trees took root.
Award-winning local wood carving artist Jeff Klatt will partner with the City and the CVB to carve the trunks of diseased and dying trees throughout the Storm Lake Community.
The idea is to create a unique community attraction from the trunks of trees that need to be removed due to disease or death. Similar to other street area projects in larger cities, the tree carvings are expected to create an attraction for residents and visitors alike.
The first tree in this program was carved this week as a set of two eagles took shape high on a stump tree located at 317 East Fifth Street. Klatt spent over 18 hours carving the birds.
"This is the largest eagle carving I've done yet," Klatt said during a break from using a chainsaw. "I think that it is something that will look great in the community."
Klatt started out with just a standing trunk and had to remove large parts of the wood before getting to detailing the design. Vehicles drove by with drivers honking and giving a thumbs up.
"I've been getting compliments while I've been doing this the past two days," Klatt added.
"We are excited to be a part of this collaborative effort in creating another great community attraction for Storm Lake," said Gary Lalone, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce and director of the local development group.
"The possibilities for this program are endless and we look forward to working with local citizens and businesses in enhancing the community."
The Storm Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau has agreed to pay for the carving of some trees, including two on East Lakeshore Drive along the Storm Lake Lake Trail. These trees will be carved in the next few weeks.
As part of the kick off for this program the City of Storm Lake is seeking the community's ideas for how those two trees should be carved. Ideas can be submitted via email at city hall [at] stormlake.org or in person at City Hall during normal business hours. Ideas will be accepted through May 4.
Property owners are also encouraged to look at a tree carving as an alternative to complete removal of a dying tree. Those interested in participating are encouraged to contact the City of Storm lake or the Storm Lake CVB as all designs must be approved prior to carving.
Additionally, community members and organizations who would like to donate money to the project to fund additional carvings can do so by contacting the Storm Lake Chamber of Commerce.
"This is an exciting project for the community and the City is very thankful of the partnership with the Storm Lake CVB on this project. We believe that this project will add another great reason to visit Storm Lake," stated Patti Moore, City Administrator.
Contributed by the Pilot Tribune - Storm Lake, Iowa Winter/Spring 2007. |
