Aiyana Beaulieu will paint the new statute with a floral design inspired by Ojibwe beadwork. 4:28 pm, May 18, 2021 ×
A floral pattern, designed by 15-year-old Brainerd artist Aiyana Beaulieu, will adorn a new Babe statue that will be placed in downtown Brainerd later this summer. Submitted photo
Babe the Waabigwan Ox will adorn downtown Brainerd this summer, thanks to 15-year-old Brainerd artist Aiyana Beaulieu.
“I am just absolutely thrilled. I think this is a great opportunity, and I’m just so excited to share my artwork,” Beaulieu said Tuesday, May 18.
Beaulieu’s proposal for a floral Babe statue was chosen out of nine submissions to be painted on a statue of Babe the Blue Ox that Nor-Son construction donated to the city last year. The statue previously stood outside the company’s Baxter office.