The Crossing Arts Alliance in partnership with the Brainerd Lakes Chamber
and Avalon Studios presents ...

“An Oxpedition of Art in the Lakes Area”

A larger than life legend, “Babe the Blue Ox” will be trotting through lakes area communities this summer, sporting the latest color pallets of area artists. This public art initiative will bring to life a new chapter for the legendary Ox.

The Statue

The Ox/Babe Statue was sculpted by area artist Josh Porter of Avalon Studios .The statue is modeled after local folklore and Babe statues in the Brainerd Lakes Area.

• The statues used in “The Oxtrot” are being produced in Buffalo, MN.

• A mold has been made from the original sculpture created by Josh Porter and production is underway.

• The production statues are made of fiberglass. Approximate statue dimensions are 5 feet tall, 7 feet long, and 2.5 feet wide.

• The statues will be mounted to a concrete base while on display.

The Oxtrot

• An Oxpedition of Art will display 30+ Babe statues during the summer of 2008.

• Statues will be sponsored by businesses, organizations and individuals.

• Sponsors decide the location, artist and theme for their statue.

• Placement for statues includes all areas located on the Brainerd Chamber map. This area extends from the Hackensack area to Pillager, to Fort Ripley to Garrison, Aitkin and all the area in between.

• Statues will be on display from the Fishing Opener 2008 through Labor Day 2008.

• Statues not kept by the Sponsors will be auctioned off Sept 6^th 2008 (location to be determined).

The Fundraiser

The Crossing Arts Alliance has identified a need in area communities and will use funds raised through this project to expand, offer and implement art classes for K-12 students in Lakes Area schools.

As a sponsor, you have the assurance that your investment in this project will come back full circle to the community and its children.

The Benefits

“The chamber reported this promotional campaign supporting the Oxtrot will be one of the largest single tourism focused efforts it has done in many years. And the project, first unveiled last summer, is gaining statewide attention.

‘We applied for an innovative marketing grant to help support this project,’ said Lisa Paxton, chamber chief executive officer. ‘We were fortunate enough to be recognized.’

The chamber received the competitive grant of $30,000 and will spend $75,000 on the Oxtrot promotions using the grant and other contributions. The "Finding Babe" campaign will use the radio, television, Internet and personal appearances to promote the Oxtrot. The campaign involves ‘Babe having a playful time around the lakes area, particularly at Oxtrot locations with Paul Bunyan on a search for him but always finding himself three steps behind,’ the chamber reported.

‘We've hired an actor to represent Paul Bunyan and he will make appearances at metro events,’ Paxton said. And Babe will keep a blog of his adventures.

Oxtrot locations will be featured on the chamber's 2008 Brainerd lakes area map, which has 70,000 copies. People visiting all Oxtrot locations will be able to register for a lakes area getaway.

For sponsors hosting an ox statue, the benefit is expected to come with increased visitors to the site and access to statewide marketing efforts.”

(excerpt from Brainerd Dispatch Jan 24^th, 08 (Renee Richardson))

Other benefits include:

• Connecting the entire Lakes Area Community in one project

• Attracting new visitors and additional tourism dollars to our community

• Raising funds for art classes and education in lakes area schools

• Providing a fun and creative activity for area and visiting families

• Fostering new working relationships between area artists and businesses

• Increasing awareness of the arts with highly visible and hands on artwork

“HOW DO I GET INVOLVED WITH THIS PROJECT?”
Find all the Sponsor/Artist details and paperwork on our Download page.
 

Sponsorship Details (the basics)
Sponsorship Deadline: Feb 22^nd, 2008
Get your sponsorship forms here!
 

Your opportunity to be a destination location is now.
To sponsor a Babe the Blue Ox statue and be part of The Oxtrot, you must commit by Feb 22^nd 2008
 

Artist Details (the basics)
Design submission deadline Feb 15^th, 2008
Click here to get started!
 

Timeline

• June 30, 2007: Unveiling of Ox statue and introduction to The Oxtrot Event

• July 1, 2007: On display at Arts in the Park.

• July 4th week: Ox will appear in area parades

• July 15, 2007: Sponsorship packets available online

• July 30, 2007: Artist packets available

• November 2007: Production of statues begins

• February 15, 2008 Artist design submission deadline

• February 22, 2008 Statue Sponsorship deadline

• Mid March, 2008: The statues will be delivered to an area warehouse to be picked up by artists.

• Mid April 2008: Artist return completed statues to warehouse.

• Mid April 2008: Statues clear coated, mounted on concrete base, photographed and prepped for delivery to locations

• Early May 2008: Statues delivered to locations in preparation for the fishing opener

• Fishing Opener 2008: Official Kick Off of the Oxtrot

• Fishing Opener through Labor Day 2008: Ox statues on display, additional corresponding community events relating to The Oxtrot event

• September 6, 2008 Auction of Oxen (location yet to be determined)

(timeline subject to change)

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