It’s taken about five decades to return to one of the original visions for the scenic Alpena Bi-Path, but now that the vision has caught on again, momentum appears to be moving steadily forward.

The dream for the bi-path started back in the mid-1970s when Thunder Bay Arts Council proposed celebrating the nation’s 200th anniversary through art and recreation. The concept for marking the bicentennial called for constructing the Bi-Path and then erecting public sculptures and art along it.

While the recreational aspect of the project took off and expanded significantly in scope over time, up until last year, only one piece of art ever was installed. That installation was the sculptural fountain on the grounds of the Besser Museum.

Then last year, TBAC, along with Alpena Community College and many other supporters, revived the original intent by commissioning and installing two new sculptures: Departure of the Great Blue Herons and Global Collaboration Awareness.

This year, six more commissioned sculptures are being added along the pathway. The six related pieces will play on the theme of the history of industry in Alpena, with five installed near ACC’s Van Lare Hall and the sixth at Washington Park along the Thunder Bay River.

But it doesn’t end there.

Now an exciting new initiative, called Art Vision Alpena, looks to add a new sculpture each year through 2030 and beyond.

Tim Kuehnlein, a long-time member of TBAC and an avid supporter of the arts, helped to facilitate the installation of last year’s two new sculptures and this year’s additional six pieces. Seizing upon that momentum, local glass artist Augie Matuzak and his wife, Peggy, the owners of Forty-Five North Gallery in downtown Alpena, came to Kuehnlein earlier this year with an idea.

What if an endowment fund was established at the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan and financial support sought from the community to continue adding new pieces in public spaces, Matuzak asked? What if a formal plan was developed with a specific focus for each new sculpture and proposed locations?

Kuehnlein immediately embraced the idea and the two men began working out the details in conjunction with Thunder Bay Arts Council.

Matuzak, however, did more than just talk and plan. He and Peggy also decided to donate the initial $5,000 to establish the endowed fund with the Community Foundation. It is hoped that the fund ultimately will allow for implementation of the vision plan as well as ongoing preservation and maintenance of the various sculpture projects.

“Augie saw what was developing with the newest sculptures and said, ‘Let’s create a broader vision so that it has some legs to run with,'” Kuehnlein said. “He not only wanted to be part of it, but he provided the first major installment at the Community Foundation.”

The two men also worked with Jean Thomas of Industrial Image, Inc. to design a brochure explaining Art Vision Alpena. The brochure spells out opportunities for supporting the project through donations, bequests and other charitable giving means, and will be used as a tool to garner major donor support.

Additionally, the brochure includes a timeline of the proposed sculptures, conceptual images of each and tentative locations, which would require formal approval.

This is what the plan proposes:

∫ 2019: Alpena Welcome Sculpture at Chisholm and State

∫ 2020: Shipwrecks & Water Sculpture at Bay View Park

∫ 2021: Sails at Great Lake Maritime Heritage Center Waterfront Park

∫ 2022: Lumber and Paper History Sculpture at Alpena News Park

∫ 2023: Water Tower Sculpture at Mich-e-ke-wis Park

∫ 2024: Veterans Memorial Sculpture at Washington Park

∫ 2025: Pets and People Sculpture at Dog Park

∫ 2026: Patriotism and Honor Sculpture at Veterans Park

∫ 2027: Volunteerism and Philanthropy Sculpture at Rotary Island

∫ 2028: Historic Downtown and Community Sculpture at Avery Park

∫ 2029: Recreation and Nature Sculpture at Sytek Park

∫ 2030: Healthcare and Tranquility Sculpture at MidMichigan Medical Center

Kuehnlein and Matuzak stressed that the images on the timeline are conceptual only and not indicative of what the sculptures will look when fully created. In looking at potential locations, they wanted the sculptures to be easily visible so as to draw in both local residents and visitors to the area.

“We want them to be spaced in a way that balances out what’s already here in terms of art,” Kuehnlein said. “What’s been suggested is filling in key junctures along the Bi-Path.”

Kuehnlein and Matuzak both said they also believe that public art installations such as those being proposed have the potential to be an economic driver within the community as they help to generate interest in Alpena and Northeast Michigan as a tourist destination.

An advisory committee has been established to keep the momentum going. Serving on that committee along with Kuehnlein and Matuzak are Christine Witulski, Justin Christensen-Cooper, Judy Dawley, Cindy Johnson and Midge Connon.

“We will bounce ideas off one another,” Matuzak said of the advisory committee. “Each sculpture needs their professional expertise. Each piece will be tied to the location where it is going to be placed.”

Kuehnlein, Matuzak and the rest of the advisory committee will work on getting the word out in the weeks and months ahead. Those already interested in contributing to the Art Vision Alpena effort may contact CFNEM at 354-6881 or www.cfnem.org.