PUPPY LOVE. Now through the end of this year, the Eau Claire Sculpture Tour will raise funds to keep Sunny (pictured) a permanent piece in the city-wide art installation. The tourism org looks to raise $18,000. (Photo courtesy of Visit Eau Claire)

Let us introduce you to Sunny, many locals’ “favorite good boy” made entirely of recycled rubber tires, who's also one of the new art installations in this year’s Eau Claire Sculpture Tour.

While he doesn’t bark or ask for walks around downtown, he does rely on one vital thing from residents: Some help to keep him right here in the Chippewa Valley.

My guess is that we all have a “Sunny” in our life that we love unconditionally. Perhaps it’s Bronco, Francine (my pet's name), or Ash – our pets have a tether to our lives in ways that words often can’t describe.

Sunny was made by Minnesota-based visual artist Alex Zamesin, arriving to our downtown earlier this year for the Sculpture Tour.

Located at the corner of South Barstow and Eau Claire Streets, the pup is built of upcycled materials, a signature mark of Zamesin sculptures (many of which are also animals!).

“I’m from Bashkiria (and) I make sculptures from old second-hand tires: Bobcat tires, bicycle tires, car tires,” Zamesin shared with via social media.

“Alex’s art is about bringing community together … bring happiness, bring joy. We are very happy that this piece will stay in this beautiful city,” the video continues.

Sunny is a unique case in the 2026 Sculpture Tour pool; his arrival was much later than other sculptures in this year’s cohort. 

As a result – even though Visit Eau Claire's Outdoors Development Manager Kennedy Domerchie notes the pup has quickly turned into a favorite photo spot for passersby – Sunny is ineligible for the “People's Choice Award.”

This annual community vote selects one winning artwork to keep permanently installed in the city.

“Let’s keep this good boy right where he belongs,” Visit Eau Claire shared in a new crowdfunding effort. The tourism org seeks to raise $18,000 for costs to purchase the installation.

Sunny’s campaign runs now through the winter holiday season. Visit Eau Claire hopes to lean on two pivotal moments in that timeframe: Eau Claire's City Giving Day (Sept. 23) and Giving Tuesday (Dec. 1).

“We have some major ground to cover before the holidays, but every single contribution brings us one step closer to making sure Sunny finds his forever home,” Visit Eau Claire shared in a recent newsletter.

If you, like many of us pet owners, experience that familiar tether to our forever furry friends, learn more about the crowdfunding campaign for Sunny at visiteauclaire.com/sculpture-tour.

Keep up with the sculpture fundraiser progress online via the Sculpture Tour’s  social media (@sculpturetoureauclaire).