Embellished prairie dogs on display

By Chris Oliver
Advertiser Staff Writer

Embellished prairie dogs on display in Boulder

More than 60 prairie dogs paraded through Boulder, Colo., yesterday in hopes of finding homes.

Independent local radio KGNU's Prairie Dogs, an Art in Public Places project, invited the community to create their own visions of the prairie dog whether it be "Maddogga," "Carmen Mirandog" or "Prairienator."

The project began in 2002 with 100 "naked," larger-than-life (24 inches) prairie dogs made of polyether resin (a durable, paintable, glueable substance) distributed to local artists, nonprofits and school groups.

Participants were asked to "decorate, embellish, dress, adorn, paint, bedazzle, smarten, furbish, gild, ornament, beautify and festoon the figure with wild abandon." As the sculptures were completed, the prairie dogs were displayed at businesses around town, and at the Boulder Public Library.

After yesterday's parade, the adorned dogs were auctioned at the Odd Fellow Hall in downtown Boulder to benefit KGNU's building fund and the artists, nonprofits and schools involved.

You can admire the prairie dogs at www.kgnu.org.