June 19, 2006

Dear Mr. Dave Corliss &

Lawrence City Commissioners,

The Kansas River Expression of Soul Project is a collaborative effort and fusion of creative individuals from ecological, and environmental sources. We hope to enhance the area between Constant Park and Burcham Park with artistic interpretations of nature including shelter, and habitat improvements. Working with local city government, business, and grassroots organizations, we will combine our talents as a partnership of community to raise awareness of the Kansas River ecosystem. A beautiful sculpture trail dedicated to the Kansas River can bring to the forefront our concerns for endangered and threatened species, while simultaneously promoting the incredible talents of local, regional, and grassroots artisans and craftsmen. This will open the door to an even more diverse tourist culture to the downtown Lawrence area and Kansas River through festivals, art, music and science symposiums.

Much environmental art is ephemeral, designed for a particular place (site-specific) and involves collaborations between artists and others such as scientists, educators and community groups. The area between Constant and Burcham Parks is perfect for this. Several individuals and interested parties have already offered support for this artistic concept along the Kansas River and approved this project such as The Lawrence Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Westar Energy, The Lawrence Art Guild, and Friends of the Kaw. This idea was also presented to the Lawrence Arts Commission. I am certain that if the City Commission also approves this idea, many more businesses, corporations, art organizations and “green” groups will step forward and want to offer visible support in terms of finance, project design, and volunteering. We are not asking the City Commission for financial aid, as the artists and collaborators will be responsible for their own projects. We would be happy however to be incorporated as a future grant opportunity for the City of Lawrence.

We hope to have our first installation of a beautiful nature path and environmental sculpture scheduled for this fall. Brad Loveless from Westar Energy, and Matt Kirby are collectively planning and designing a habitat sculpture that not only attracts wildlife, but also offers riverbank stabilization. The plan will be officially proposed to the LAC once we receive the City’s approval.

The intention of the accompanying brochure is to show a basic visual of potential art worthy and conservational projects for the City of Lawrence specific to environmental public art. The art and landscape work shown are only suggestions, however the concept of artwork and landscaping representations have been approved by the Parks and Recreation Department and presented to the Lawrence Arts Commission.

My personal goal of this project is to keep the arts and sciences alive, and bring awareness to local, and global environmental issues by creating a haven of exploration and beauty. Working together as The City of Arts community we have the talent, the energy, and positive outlook to accomplish amazing works, and set ecological standards of excellence for other cities, states, and beyond. I ask that our proposal for a naturalistic sculpture trail along the Kansas River be placed on a City Commission agenda in the near future for consideration of this community art project.

Sincerely,

Marie Thompson

Artist By Design LLC