Sponsors still needed for Whitewater's 'Birds'

CSI Media staff | May 13, 2016

WHITEWATER—The Whitewater Arts Alliance is still looking for a few sponsors for its public art project in downtown Whitewater.

This year there are five different wooden birds--owl, crested bird, hawk, swift, and pair of songbirds--are being transformed into colorful, and in some case amusing,creatures to perch and soar over Main Street.

“From what we have seen already, there will be a bird to delight everyone,” said Linda Long, president of the Whitewater Arts Alliance.

The format for this year's project has changed a bit. Instead of having the artists purchase the wooden forms and auctioning all of them in September, the WAA has sought sponsors for each bird. Sponsorships are $100 and fully tax deductible as a donation to the WAA.

Interested sponsors should contact Long at 262-473-5538, or mail a check payable to the Whitewater Arts Alliance to PO Box 311, Whitewater WI 53190.The Whitewater Arts Alliance would like to have all the sponsors in place by May 15 so that they can be acknowledged in the public arts brochure/guide.

Artists were also given an opportunity to keep their birds by paying a small donation when they were either picked up or turned in. The remaining birds will be available through a silent auction at the Cultural Arts Center during a week in September.

Funds raised through this project form a big part of the WAA budget. The funds are used to sponsor exhibits and receptions, musicians, the annual Savory Sounds concerts, continuing the new school district grant and scholarship program, and the many other programs community members enjoy – usually at no charge. The WAA is also considering the purchase of a digital piano for the gallery so that they can expand their performance programs, Long said.