Grand Opening Celebration at the
Brand New Rend Lake Visitor Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2011

Rantoul, IL – Taylor Studios recently designed, built, and installed exhibits in the new Rend Lake Visitor Center. The Grand Opening will be Thursday, May 5th with the opening ceremony beginning at 10:30 a.m. Tours of the building will begin following the opening ceremony and will continue until 3:00 p.m. Additional activities will include environmental programming and light refreshments. The location of the opening ceremony will be in the front parking lot of the Rend Lake Project Office and Visitor Center, 11981 Rend City Road, Benton, IL 62812.

The exhibit gallery is painted in a tranquil sage green with Craftsman-style architecture and stained-glass insets. A naturalist’s sketchbook sets the tone for the gallery’s illustrations, with artistic, sketchy murals and naturalist quotes applied to the walls

One challenge in this project was the direct printing to plywood for the graphics; variation in the natural material proved difficult at times. Taylor Studios worked with the printer to make sure lighter, blemish-free wood was chosen so the illustrations and text stood out.

When asked about the project, Kara Vanskike, marketing manager for Taylor Studios and 1999 graduate of Herrin High School, said “It’s exciting to see a project completed where I grew up. We have projects throughout the country and now we have two in southern Illinois which is pretty special to me.” (The other project is at Fort Massac State Park in Metropolis.)

Rend Lake is an 18,900-acre reservoir located in southern Illinois near Benton just off of I-57. It was built in 1965 to furnish a dependable water supply for the surrounding area. The Rend Lake Fish and Wildlife Area was developed later to provide recreational opportunities.

Founded in 1991 and located in Rantoul, IL, Taylor Studios collaborates with visitor centers, museums, nature centers, hospitals, universities, corporations, and zoos to design, build, and install exhibits. They are known for their quality and attention to detail. Their experience encompasses immersive environments, outdoor signage, scenic work, interactives, models, murals, and dioramas. They are the first and only exhibit design and fabrication company to back their work with a five-year warranty. In 2000, Inc. Magazine named Taylor Studios among the 500 fastest growing companies in America. In 2007 and 2009, they were listed among the 5000 fastest growing companies. This growth can be attributed to their outstanding quality and their ability to complete projects on time and within budget.

Related Links:
Rend Lake Case Study