Hikers and other outdoor recreationalists are going to see new trail markers on their walks on La Center trails thanks to the town arts council’s most recent endeavor.
“We’re coordinating with the city to design illustrations and signs to install on our trails for the public to have a more interactive experience when they’re using our trail system,” said La Center Arts Council Executive Director Kirsten Peterson.
The initial project idea was conceived by Daniel Masterson, one of the founding members of the council.
“He had many pieces here on display, and he had the idea to do the illustrations as trail markers, and we brought it to the city and they were enthusiastic,” Peterson said.
When the proposition came to Mayor Tom Strobehn, it didn’t take long for him to jump on board.
“I looked at them, and it took less than a second, and I said ‘yeah, give me an invoice. Let’s do it,’” Strobehn said.
The council held a community meeting on Aug. 3 and talked about the trail markers, handed out awards for artwork and provided people with the chance to support their favorite work for a People’s Choice Award.
At the meeting, Peterson gave a presentation of what the new project could entail as they move forward.
The signs will help to give distinct location markers for a map that can help with locating people in trouble while on a trail.
The trail markers will also be outfitted with QR codes and images provided by the members of the art council.
“There is going to be an interactive component to this experience that the backend is going to have built,” Peterson said.
Scanning the QR code will provide users with information about the animals on the signs, and the page will have the option of reading it aloud for those who might have weak eyesight.
“Another thing we might do, with the kids, is a treasure hunt,” Peterson said. “If they sit in the woods long enough and quietly enough, they will see some of these animals.”
The art council meeting also featured a table where attendees could view the work some members had submitted to be put on the signs.
“The art council has drawn it, then they’re going to bring them to the city, and then public works is going to go out and distribute them through the trail system,” said Strobehn.
For the members of the art council, this opportunity has helped to provide a way to make their organization known to the community around them.
“I moved to La Center seven years ago and was looking for the arts community,” Peterson said.
She had been a professional artist for her entire life, having had a career in graphic design and art direction.
“The council was started four years ago,” Peterson said. “I’ve always enjoyed interacting with other creatives, so I popped in at a meeting that the city held and we decided to start an arts council.”
In addition to the trail markers project, the council has since organized many other events, such as an art fair around Mother’s Day, and several workshops on basket weaving, painting, photography and sewing.
“Getting the word out, that’s our main problem, getting people involved,” said La Center Art Council Executive Treasurer Sandra Pearson. “Tonight is pretty darn special to me, just that people showed up.”
Pearson remarked that one of the challenges that council faces as a nonprofit is making and retaining members.
“We’re trying to get kids involved, middle school and up, to help them grow with their art, and the younger we can get them involved, the more chance they have to develop an art career,” Pearson said.
For Pearson, the privilege of being on the trail markers isn’t what makes the art worth it, but rather what the art can do for the artist.
“It frees your soul. It develops a part of you that you can’t get in a book. It frees your inner spirit,” Pearson said.
Learn more about the La Center Arts Council at lacenterarts.org.
