Shopko Foundation awards grant to Waukon Community Art Project ...

Waukon Economic Development Director Ardie Kuhse recently received word that Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) was awarded a $250 Shopko Foundation Community Charitable Grant for the proposed Waukon Community Art Project. Shopko's grant program was established to support charitable nonprofit organizations through limited funding of local programs and events in their Shopko communities.

Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) was awarded $75,000 by the National Endowment for the Arts "Our Town Grant Program" to support the development and construction of public art in communities along Iowa scenic byways. RC&D then chose to work with six to 10 communities in northeast Iowa to help develop an art concept that will reflect each community's identity. The City of Waukon made application to RC&D to be one of those communities and was selected, along with the City of Postville. The selected site for Waukon's artwork will be located downtown in the City Plaza at the corner of Main Street and Spring Avenue. Local artists will be enlisted to help develop and design Waukon's art piece, which will enhance not only the community but also the journey of visitors traveling the byway, which passes through downtown Waukon.

The RC&D and the Driftless Area Scenic Byway are currently working with the Byways of Iowa Foundation to raise a total of $10,000 to help complete Waukon's art project. The grant award from Shopko Foundation's Community Charitable Grant Program will go towards reaching this goal. Pictured above at the grant presenation are, left to right, Waukon Economic Development Coordinator Ardie Kuhse, Waukon Shopko Assistant Store Manager Julie VandeVelden, Waukon Shopko Store Manager Valerie Kleinow, and Waukon Shopko staff members Melissa Ward, June Sweeney, Laurie Hoisington and Andrew Howe. Submitted photo.