A member of the Northland Art Society was honored during a dedication ceremony June 20 at International Falls Public Library.
The locally designed and constructed sculpture, which took more than two years to complete, honors Cathy Johnson, who died in September 2010. The summertime-themed sculpture makes its appearance near the International Falls Public Library.
One of Johnson’s passions was getting young people involved with art, according to her family and the sculpture’s organizers. A group of committee members in 2013 felt a contest asking local students in grades 4-12 to draw their favorite thing of summer would be appropriate in Johnson’s memory.
About 50 entries were submitted by students with a first place tie going to Kenzie Wenberg, who was in sixth grade at the time, and Jessica Kulig, who was in fourth grade. The two winning entries were combined into a sculpture that was created by local artist, Eric “Erickson” Kulig.
The cost of creating the sculpture was covered by money raised during a 2013 fundraiser in Johnson’s honor. Family members wanted the money generated by the fundraiser to be transformed in a way for people to enjoy art.
