COEUR d'ALENE - Once they got the boats racing toward Coeur d'Alene, and not Spokane, it was smooth sailing from there.

The city of Coeur d'Alene and the city's Arts Commission on Monday dedicated a public art project called "Catch the Wind."

Red, yellow and blue steel sails - billowed by the wind - race southeast toward Lake Coeur d'Alene, with bright little flags flapping at the top of the three masts.

Fish, waves and birds - including one clutching a fish - are carved into the sails. The sails are anchored aground by granite boulders.

"We wanted a bright, welcoming landmark for people coming into the city," said artist Patty Sgrecci, who worked on the project along with Donna Peltier Bain, of Coeur d'Alene, and Mason McCuddin, of Spokane.

"We thought the focus should be the lake," said Sgrecci, a one-time Coeur d'Alene resident now living in Vermont.

The artists said they wanted to use simple forms, so people rolling into town could immediately identify the art as sails.

Coeur d'Alene Mayor Sandi Bloem said, "I think it's totally Coeur d'Alene. It's totally welcoming. To me, it almost looks like it's moving, actually sailing" toward the lake.

The sails weren't always racing toward the lake.

"On the concept they had them (sails) turned toward Spokane," said Steve Anthony, city recreation department director.

The sails are located near the intersection of Seltice Way and Northwest Boulevard, along the Centennial Trail, on Idaho Transportation Department property.

The project was a joint effort between the city and the commission and was funded by the Lake City Development Corporation, at a cost of $75,000.