A new idea arose when looking over some earlier journal drawings of koi fish that Dale had made while visiting the Des Moines Botanical Garden; developing these sketches into sculptures seemed right for the next creative venture.

At this time and based on some prototypes, Dale received a grant from the Iowa Arts Council and the Des Moines Botanical Center and began the project, ultimately creating 20 large ceramic koi. These sculptures were displayed for three months at the botanical gardens amongst the flora, streams, and waterfalls. When the installation was in place (and even as it was being installed) the resident koi swam with their heads out of the water, looking at the ceramic koi they had inspired with marked intelligence and curiosity.

For many subsequent years, Dale’s ceramic koi sculptures were represented in 12 galleries throughout the US. Their sizes ranged from 16 to 52 inches.