City of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin

Gateway to the St. Croix Valley

River Spirit Sculpture

To capture the essence of the River Spirit sculpture in words is difficult. You will simply have to see it for yourself. Unveiled on Friday July 20th, 2007 at the foot of the scenic overlook in St. Croix Falls, Wis.

Commissioned by the City of St. Croix Falls to create a life-size sculpture, Julieann Stage conceived River Spirit to celebrate and honor the St. Croix River.

This sinewy bronze beauty looks as though she's emerging from the depths of the river as the wind ascends her toward the heavens. As she peers skyward with intensity, an eagle takes flight from her shoulder, symbolizing what she's releasing from within.

River Spirit is the culmination of one of Julieann's styles of work based in the themes of wind, water, and nature. Her influences are of the great masters, such as Gianlorenzo Bernini,Mary Cassett, Michaelangelo, Camielle Claudel, and her own teacher Nancy Rieke. Her work is autobiographical, celebrating the passages of life through compassion, sensitivity, emotion, and personal growth. Recently, Julieann shared her hopes that her art "will inspire people to shed away those things that do not serve them well."

Stage's company, "Dance of Life Sculpture," was founded in 2000. Since then, her mission as evoloved to "create growth and open one's heart allowing 'the dance of life' to breathe through." Julieann wants to create a healing impact on society by working with children, families, the environment, and health issues.

Indeed, River Spirit has already had an impact on the community. Julieann employed high school art students, Emily Pfaizgraf and Samantha Larson to be her apprentices. As Julieann worked on the sculpture in her studio/gallery, Gallery 135, on main street in St. Croix Falls, friends and community members dropped in to visit. Many served as modeeor parts of River Spirit, making it truly a community piece of art.

It's beauty not only graces the river valley, but also is a benefit to other artists in the area. The city has bought the rights to River Spirit and will sell two smaller versions of the sculpture. The proceeds will aid and encourage other artists.

A couple of artists have already been inspired by the work. Jim Snyder, has painted a mural of River Spirit on the wall of the Dam Bistro, a local eatery in downtown St. Croix Falls. Painter Gloria Adrian from Grantsburg, Wis., has done two portraits of Julieann while creating River Spirit. One portrait focuses on Julieann’s hands while she works on the hands of River Spirit. Gloria is working on a series of fifteen portraits of “Women Who Work With Their Hands,” which will be completed and shown in another year.

The City receives a small share of each order that will be used to further promote the area and culture in the community. The sculpture is offered in various sizes:

  • To order please contact City Hall at 715.483.3929 #12
  • The city will need you to settle up prior to the deadline date.
  • It will take approximately 90 days to receive the sculpture.

The River Spirit Sculpture is truly a collectors item. It will most certainly retain its value and likely to increase substantially over time. Juliann Stage has captured the Spirit of the Saint Croix River. Your purchase of a sculpture is a great investment. It will also confirm this community's appreciation of the arts. Finally, by purchasing a sculpture you will help solidify the community's vision of arts as community and economic development by helping to foster other art ventures.

You can also visit Julieann’s website at www.danceoflifesculpture.com or contact her at 651-428-9253 or js@danceoflifesculpture.com.