07/01/2026
The Sunflower Child Development + Discovery Center Donor Wall is Complete!
Winneshiek County Development and Tourism (WCDT) in partnership with Decorah Community School District Industrial Tech students, Artist Hannah Tulgren, Annie Koelker Designs, and LetterWerks, completed the Sunflower Child Development + Discovery Center Donor Wall!
The wall proudly recognizes donors at every level who contributed to the capital campaign. From the beginning, the Sunflower Fundraising Committee envisioned a display that would be as unique, creative, and community-driven as the project itself. To bring this vision to life, Annie Koelker Designs created the concept for the wall, an array of beautiful, wood-backed flowers, each with a plaque naming a donor. In addition to the flowers, there are leaves, additional plaques that honor donors at various levels, and a plaque recognizing the committee members who served during the building process.
Turning this design into reality required a true community effort. Through an existing partnership between WCDT and Decorah High School, Industrial Tech students taught by Brian Waskow took on the challenge of producing the wooden backings. Students carefully followed design plans to cut, sand, and stain each flower shape, ensuring every piece reflected both craftsmanship and care.
Letterwerks produced the donor name plaques to go on the flowers and leaves. Once all the elements were ready, WCDT staff, Stephanie Fromm and Maddie Putnam-Keck, along with Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce staff and artist Hannah Tulgren, collaborated to assemble the pieces into one cohesive, one-of-a-kind display in the entryway at Sunflower.
This project not only celebrates the generosity of Sunflower’s supporters but also highlights the incredible collaboration that defines the Decorah community. Students, artists, local businesses, and organizations all came together to create something that honors the past, celebrates the present, and inspires the future of early childhood education in the region.
The Sunflower Child Development and Discovery Center extends heartfelt gratitude to everyone who played a role in making this project possible. The donor wall stands as a lasting symbol of what can be achieved when a community works together, growing something beautiful.
During open hours, donors and community members are welcome to come to the center to view the display.
