NWI Paddling Association Commemorates Lake Michigan Water Trail
The Northwest Indiana Paddling Association, NIPSCO and South Shore Poster Arts Management, Inc. (SSPAM) unveiled “Paddling the Dunes,” a new, official South Shore Poster created by regional artist Barbara Spies Labus, Saturday, June 4. The unveiling took place as part of the celebration and dedication of the first 75 miles of the Lake Michigan Water Trail as National Recreation Trail.
Held at the at Portage Lakeshore and Riverwalk at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, the unveiling revealed original artwork depicting two kayakers paddling along the Indiana Dunes State Park on Lake Michigan’s south shore in vibrant color. The poster was commissioned by the NWI Paddling Association and made possible by a generous grant from NIPSCO.
“We wanted to capture the natural beauty paddlers will experience as they travel our shoreline and commemorate the first significant step in developing the world’s longest continuous loop water trail in the world. The poster provides a view of Northwest Indiana from a different perspective [from the lake] inspiring us to improve our region through preserving and protecting our environment,” said Dan Plath, President of the NWI Paddling Association.
More than 100 guests, including the participating paddlers and cyclists, received commemorative South Shore Posters sponsored by NIPSCO and the new Lake Michigan Water Trail map.
“We see Dan Plath and the NWI Paddling Association working hard to engage a wide group of stakeholders to ensure the national recognition of the Lake Michigan Water Trail and are pleased to be a an active participant in this effort. Residents and visitors alike will be able to enjoy the paddling trail for generations to come and remember it through the unique poster art created to celebrate life along the South Shore,” said Phil Pack, Vice President of Generation for NIPSCO.
Posters will be available for purchase through the NWI Paddling Association website www.nwipa.org or the South Shore Arts Gallery and website www.southshoreartsonline.org.
For more information, contact Karen Lauerman, Director of Marketing and Communications at 219/763-6303 x181, klauerman@nwiforum.org or visit www.nwiforum.org.