Willmar Design Center

The Willmar Design Center received a Valspar Corporation "Minnesota Beautiful" paint grant, awarded through the Southwest Minnesota Foundation. The paint will be used as part of "The Great American Barn Theatre Shed Makeover," to give a visual makeover to "The Shed," used for rehearsal and storage space, and annexed to The Barn Theatre.

The Willmar Design Center and Public Art Committee partnered with The Barn Theatre and Kandiyohi County's United Way Youth as Resources Committee to make the project possible. Pictured above are, left to right: Allison Geiger - WDC Public Art, Bev Dougherty - WDC president, Katherine Panasuk - Resource Development and Marketing Coordinator for United Way of Kandiyohi County, and Suzette Therkilsen - WDC Youth Downtown United Way YAR committee member.

Becker Market opens June 1

The Willmar Design Center announces the opening of Becker Market with an array of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, art, entertainment and special events for kids.

Becker Market will be open at 3 p.m., Thursday, on Becker Ave between 4th and 5th streets in Downtown Willmar. It will be open 3-7 p.m., every Thursday through September 28.
This Thursday there will be Latin Dancers performing at 4:30 and a fashion show featuring students from Ridgewater College Administrative Support program at 6 p.m. At 6:30 p.m. there will be a roundtable discussion by Bethel, led by members of the Minnesota Design Team.

Please stop over and join us for fun, food and entertainment and be part of a new tradition in Downtown Willmar.

Downtown Willmar to be decked with flower baskets

Did you know there are approximately 87 naked light posts in beautiful downtown Willmar?
Main Street Willmar provided $400 in seed money (pardon the pun) to dress up the light poles with hanging flower baskets.
The project is part of the Willmar Design Center's Downtown Environment Committee's effort to work in collaboration with other downtown interest groups to beautify downtown and provide a fun spring and summer atmosphere - hopefully in time for Willmarfest.
" It is truly a collaborative effort," said Mary Lou Arne, committee chair. "We initiated the idea, Mainstreet provided a real financial boost, the businesses have been very enthusiastic and contributing additional funds and the City of Willmar will take care of watering the baskets." If you would like to participate, and have not been contacted, please call Mary Lou Arne at 235-4150 or Jan Sheltens at 235-2425 or 967-4682.