Art Along the Byway planned to enhance Iowa's Scenic Byways

Casey’s General Stores, Inc. (Casey’s), in partnership with Northeast Iowa RC&D and the Byways of Iowa Foundation (BIF), has been hosting a promotion the entire month of September 2016 to help raise funds for public art to be installed along Iowa’s Scenic Byways. Although supporters can donate to Art Along the Byway at any Casey’s in Iowa, the Casey’s General Store in Waukon has been in support of the initiative and hopes to continue to help raise funding for the project.

“We are extremely excited about the opportunity to install a new public art piece in Waukon and encourage everyone to stop in to Casey’s and contribute. We would really like to show that our community is supportive of public art not only here, but in small towns across the state,” stated Ardie Kuhse of Waukon Economic Development Corporation.

During the entire month of September, Casey’s employees across the state are asking patrons to make a $1 donation to Art Along Iowa’s Byways. In return, the donors have the opportunity to write their names on pin-ups, which are being displayed throughout the store during the month of September.

Driftless Area Scenic Byway Coordinator Jared Nielsen from Northeast Iowa RC&D noted that 15 public art installations will be developed in small towns along Iowa’s Scenic Byways, including the art piece scheduled to be installed within Waukon. Nielsen said, “Tourists are always looking for fun things to see and do along Iowa Byways. In fact, 75% of visitors looking for information on the Iowa Tourism website are looking for information about Iowa’s Scenic Byways. We believe that if our byway communities develop one-of-a-kind, place-based, public art, visitors will want to travel to see it and then spend money and time in our communities.”