Wisconsin Union team debuts new, yellow Terrace Chairling plushie
Posted: 04/07/25
The Wisconsin Union team has introduced its second-ever Terrace-themed plushie, Ray Laken, a yellow Terrace Chairling.
They can now be purchased exclusively at Memorial Union and Union South Badger Markets and online at terracestore.union.wisc.edu as can the first Terrace Chairling plushie, the green Maple Fields, which went on sale in November 2024.
Ray Laken’s name and color were inspired by the yellow rays of sunshine patrons enjoy at the Wisconsin Union’s outdoor dining and entertainment destination, the Memorial Union Terrace. Ray features a sunshine-yellow sunburst body and soft arms and legs.
Visitors can relax in the yellow, green and orange sunburst Terrace chairs that inspired the Chairlings at the Memorial Union Terrace from late spring to early fall each year.
University of Wisconsin–Madison student and Wisconsin Union Graphic Design Intern Emily Swanson created the Chairling plushie concept and designed both plushies. The Wisconsin Union team first introduced the Terrace Chairlings in digital form on its Facebook and Instagram accounts in 2022.
“After the love our community and visitors showed for our first Chairling plushie Maple Fields, we knew we needed to bring our other Chairling characters to life as plushies as soon as possible,” said Shauna Breneman, Wisconsin Union public relations and communications officer. “We’ve loved learning about the homes our plushies are finding on desks, on bookshelves, and among children’s plushie companions.”
Ray Laken is the latest in a line of in-house designed Wisconsin Union and Terrace-themed gifts, accessories, and apparel, which patrons can find at Badger Markets at Memorial Union and Union South and online. The Wisconsin Union also develops locally made food and beverages, such as Wisconsin Union Beef Snack Sticks, Terrace Lemonade, Terrace Strawberry Lemonade, and a line of naturally caffeinated, fruit juice-infused sparkling waters, called Sunburst Sparkler.
Revenue generated by the plushies and other Wisconsin Union products supports the nonprofit Wisconsin Union in providing free and low-cost events, community gathering spaces and student leadership opportunities.
For more information about Chairling plushies Ray Laken and Maple Fields, visit union.wisc.edu/plushie.