Buy Art For Art
BAFA: An invitation to Buy Art For Art
An aerial view looking east at the Eagle Landmark and the downtown area from Riverside Park in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Since 1987 the Eagle Landmark has towered above the Mississippi River near the levee at the end of State Street in Riverside Park. It welcomes visitors to our fair city and is a familiar feathered friend to residents of La Crosse.
The original sculpture was designed and constructed by celebrated regional artist Elmer Petersen. It was removed in 2020 to assess the effects of weathering on certain components, and to develop a strategy for restoration. The landmark was completely recreated by Elmer Petersen collaborator, artist, and local custom metal fabricator Al Schulz. This magnificent new bird and its lofty perch were installed in June of 2022.
In my thinking, public art contributes to human flourishing. It is food for the soul. With the great variety of artists that we have in the Coulee Region, there is something on the menu for every taste. Adding new offerings to or maintaining existing offerings on that menu requires funding. Generous individual and corporate donors as well as numerous smaller fundraising efforts have all contributed significantly to public art projects throughout the years. While processing some recent images of the new eagle the thought occurred to me that it would be great if that art could help fund new public art.
The BAFA idea
I want to thank Al Schultz and other creators of local public art for affirming this idea.
I have a selection of prints featuring local public art for sale - something I am calling Buy Art For Art - BAFA. 50% of all net profits from my BAFA-labeled prints will go towards funding other local public arts projects that are created or designed by local artists. Artist studio prints, metal, canvas, and acrylic prints of all my Eagle Landmark images and other BAFA images (see below) and are available for purchase through my website (here) or Gallery 1802 in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
See notes below each photo for items that are available right now at Gallery 1802.
If you would like to purchase prints in a special size or quantity for you, your organization, or your business please reach out through my contact information.
Delivered images do not have watermarks.
An aerial view looking west at the Eagle Landmark in Riverside Park in La Crosse, Wisconsin with the tree line on Barron Island visible in the background.
I have one 16x20 bamboo-edged standout panel of each eagle print on display at Gallery 1802 at a price of $225.00 per print.
An aerial view looking west at the Eagle Landmark in Riverside Park, La Crosse, Wisconsin.
An aerial view of Hoeschler Fountain, a popular gathering spot in Riverside Park, La Crosse, Wisconsin. The three tall geysers represent the three rivers that come together at the park: Mississippi, Black and La Crosse. The four smaller geysers represent other area rivers: Trempealeau, Kickapoo, Bad Axe and Root. Funded by the Hoeschler family and city of La Crosse. Architectural services donated by HSR. Design by Kurt Schroeder.
Infrared image of the La Crosse Player statue on Second and Main Streets in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Several local news agencies have done features about both Elmer Petersen and Al Schultz, and I encourage you to read up on the history of the Eagle Landmark. Elmer and Al had a special relationship and a shared vision for restoring the eagle. Although it is officially called The Eagle Landmark, I like to think of it as Almer’s Eagle. ;-)
Those living outside of our area might not be familiar with this special slice of La Crosse. If you are from this area, you probably know how magnificent this piece is. These images were created to give folks a bit closer look at the amazing detail in this powerful sculpture - and to hopefully bring in some support for additional locally-created public art.
Al Schultz - recreator of the Eagle Landmark - with a 16x20 print of the new eagle. The artist studio print is mounted in a black frame with a textured conservation mat and low-glare museum glass.
Closing Thoughts
As a photographer, I may include pubic art as an incidental part of a photo that I then sell. I have never felt OK about selling photos of someone else's work where the main feature is that work. Until now. The idea of using public art to raise additional funding for public art projects seems like a good thing to do. I hope you agree and will consider joining me and others by buying these prints.