News & Updates
U.S.1944 Warsaw Uprising Airlift Memorial dedication info for Sept 21, 2024
Boleslaw Kochanowski has a key role in the dedication of the U.S. 1944 Warsaw Uprising Airlift Memorial at Huset Park in Columbia Heights, Minnesota. The memorial honors the heroic crew of the B-17G Flying Fortress, I’ll Be Seeing You, which was shot down during a crucial mission supporting the Warsaw Uprising on September 18, 1944. The stainless-steel memorial, reminiscent of the aircraft’s wings, was crafted by Kochanowski. It is an enlarged version of the original memorial located in Łomianki, Poland. The original site marks the crash of I’ll Be Seeing You during Operation Frantic 7, a critical mission of the United States Army Air Forces aimed at supporting Polish resistance fighters during the Warsaw Uprising. Of the ten crew members aboard, eight perished, including Staff Sergeant Walter Shimshock, a native of Columbia Heights. Kochanowski was commissioned by the Institute of National Remembrance in Poland to recreate and enlarge the memorial for the dedication ceremony in the United States. The project is the result of a collaboration between Sister Cities Lomianki-Columbia Heights, the Polish American Cultural Institute of Minnesota (PACIM), and the City of Columbia Heights, alongside other supporting organizations.
Click here to for more information and a schedule of events »»
Polish Heritage in Portage County: The Backstory on the Blacksmiths
A film crew from Uniquely Wisconsin, an affiliate of Discover Wisconsin, spent a full eight-hour day filming Kochanowski artwork being created at Boleslaw's shop and on-site in Stevens Point. Polish Heritage in Portage County: Polish Heritage in Portage County: The Backstory on the Blacksmiths is posted on YouTube. This segment was later worked into a television episode on Discover Wisconsin.
Click here to watch the video »»
Boleslaw's Sculpture Featured in "Footprints of Polonia"
Boleslaw's sculpture, For Your Freedom and Ours, at the Stevens Point, WI Cultural Commons, was included in Ewa E. Barczyk's new edition of Footprints of Polonia: Polish Historical Sites Across North America. The book is available on Amazon, as well as many other book venues.
Boleslaw's Graphics Featured on T-Shirts and Hoodies
The Stevens Point Visitor Center and Gift Shop in Wisconsin is featuring Boleslaw's graphics of the To the Point sculpture on t-shirts and hoodies. You can purchase these items at the gift shop at 1105 Main Street.
Stevens Point Dozynki (Polish Fall Festival)
Boleslaw and Anna participated in the Stevens Point Dozynki (Polish Fall Festival). It was an enjoyable day with lots of food, interesting events, and displays throughout the city. Boleslaw talked about his work at Gallery Q where he had an art display set up for the day. Anna demonstrated the art of pisanki (wax resist egg dying) while encouraging hands-on participation from the crowd.
Click here to see the Dozynki Downtown flyer »»
A Family of Blacksmiths' Art Forged with Small Pieces of Waupaca Foundry
The result of Waupaca Foundry's social media liaison spending a spring afternoon at the shop: A Family of Blacksmiths' Art Forged with Small Pieces of Waupaca Foundry.
Click here to read the article »»
Blacksmith's Daughters music video Mr. Smith
The Blacksmith's Daughters' original music video Mr. Smith.
