Downtown Revitalization in Sheridan Wyoming Downtown Sheridan Association
P.O. Box 13 - Sheridan, Wyoming  82801 - 307-672-8881

 

Putting Arts to Work for Downtown
 

Large and small communities alike are saying the same thing:

Arts and culture are critical tools for revitalizing central business districts. Resources such as libraries, museums, parks, cultural centers and performing arts, strengthen human, economic, physical and social improvement.

 

What exactly do arts and cultural resources have to offer individuals and communities? These resources can foster understanding, build employment and life skills, rekindle pride and belief in a community. Arts and culture address the "basics" such as self-esteem and the power to influence one's surroundings. They can be used to alter the image of a physical area, and provide a common meeting ground. These programs stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and build job skills. And because the arts define our society and its diversity, they are central in binding and mending the social fabric of our communities - and thus a perfect match for local Main Street revitalization initiatives.

Arts and culture are being redefined, not as frills or luxuries, but as essential and useful agents for invigoration and restoring character to our downtown cores, and small towns. This new definition demands an active role by local community arts and cultural groups in the revitalization activities taking place in America's downtowns.

Downtown Sheridan is fortunate in that we have within walking distance of each other, the Library, the WYO Theatre, King's Museum, Centennial Theater, and several art galleries. We have many bronze sculptures on Grinnell Plaza and throughout downtown. There is also a student created mural on Carroll' s Furniture Warehouse at Brooks Street.

It is evident that the Arts play an important role in creating that special. sense of place within our Historic Down town

Public Art Committee

Initial Selections for Grinnell Plaza or Alternate Locations

In 1992 when a group of citizens interested in participating in the Downtown Master Plan met at a town meeting held at the Historic Sheridan Inn, it was suggested that Grinnell Street be the location of street fairs and public art. In 2001, the Grinnell Plaza project, which was funded with private donations, grant monies and City monies, made that dream a reality. The next step towards completing that dream was the addition of public art.

In 1999, then Mayor Jim Wilson formed a public arts committee with a specific mission to promote and select works of art for Grinnell Plaza and other areas of the City.

After City Council approval of written guidelines, the order of business for the the Public Arts Committee was to request proposals from artists nationwide. Forty-eight artists submitted sixty sculptures for consideration. After a careful reviewing process, the committee selected eight sculptures which would be appropriate for Grinnell Plaza and other areas in Sheridan. In addition to funding from the City of Sheridan's 1% optional sales tax, the Arts Committee continuously seeks funding from individuals or organizations to fund additional pieces. Sheridan now has 27 permanent pieces of art and continues to display pieces that are on loan.  All on loan pieces are available for purchase. For more information, contact Fachon Wilson at (307) 674-8027 or by email, rwilson@wyoming.com.

Permanent Collection

Bozeman Scout
By
Barry Eisenach
Arvada, Colorado
7' 6"

Donated by
 Kim Love
Sheridan Media


On display at
Grinnell Plaza
Project completed
June 2002
Part of the permanent collection

The first sculpture to be funded and donated to the City for permanent display on Grinnell Plaza is "The Bozeman Scout" by Barry Eisenach of Arvada, Colorado. This statue was funded by Kim Love and Sheridan Media. It was mounted on Grinnell Plaza in May of 2002 with official dedication during Bozeman Trail Days in June. 
 

Great Minds Think Alike
By
T.D. Kelsey
Texas
56-60"
 
Donated by
Legend Communications

On display at
Grinnell Plaza
project completed
August 2002
Part of the Permanent collection

A second sculpture, "Great Minds Think Alike" by artist T.D. Kelsey has been donated by the owner of Buffalo radio stations, KBBS and KIX, Larry Patrick of Legend Communications headquartered in Ellicott City, Maryland. Placement took place in the summer of 2002.

Organizations and individuals are being encouraged to help fund sculptures for downtown and Grinnell Plaza. If you are interested, please contact rwilson@wyoming.com.

The Tin Man
By
Sam Street & Darcy Taylor
Sheridan, Wyoming
60"
 

Donated by
Sam Street

On display at
Grinnell Plaza

Project completion
2005
Part of the Permanent Collection
 

 

Circle of Friends
By
K.E. Crain
Littleton, Colorado

Donated by
 The Public Arts Committee and Sheridan Library Foundation

On display at
Sheridan Library
Project completed
2005
Part of the permanent collection

One of the more recent additions to our permanent collection is the "Circle of Friends."  K.E. Crain of Littleton, Colorado is the artist of this piece.  The bronze was donated by the Public Arts Committee and the Sheridan Library Foundation.  There was an official dedication for the piece in the summer of 2005 and it now resides at the Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library.
 


Donated by
Best Out West, Crazy Woman Trading, CSI Outdoors, Davis Gallery, Hailey & Emily Dillon, Garry & Paula Ellis, Linda & Willis Fauth, Paula Fauth, Matt & Jan Groshart, Tanner, Cody, Ethan & Alex Perkins, John & Robby Smith, Sam & Connie Street, The Trophy Case, Adam & Lisa Wagner, Paul & Emily Wagner, Wilcox Abstract Title

Midnight Snack
By
Mary Zimmerman
Paonia, Colorado
 


On display at
Grinnell Plaza
Project completed
2004
Part of the permanent collection

"Midnight Snack" is another bronze piece that we have acquired as part of our permanent collection.  The artist is Mary Zimmerman who resides in Paonia, Colorado.  The piece was acquired in 2004 with the help of various donors.
 

Summit CEOs
By
J.C. Dye
Stanford, Montana
60"
 

Donated by
Sheridan Media

On display at
Grinnell Plaza
Project completed
June 2003
Part of the permanent collection


 

Perfect on Petra
By
Ross Matteson
Olympia, Washington
67" x 20" x 18"

Donated By
The artist in honor of the Yentzer Family,
Eyas Foundation,
Roger & Fachon Wilson, Dan & Jeanne Konkel,Ken Sterner

On display at
Grinnell Plaza

Project Completed
2002
Part of the permanent collection



 

Sandhill Crane
By
Bunny Connell
Sheridan, Wyoming
48"
 

Donated by
Sheridan Public Arts Committee Golf Tournament 2004


On display at
Sheridan Senior Center
Project completed
June 2003
Part of the permanent collection


 


 

 

 




Donated By
Madeline Albrecht & Willa Albrecht; Shawn Ellen Beasley; Carolyne, Jack, Payton & Olivia Chase; Abigail, Joel & Julienne Meredith; Tori & Nick Gill; Riley & Brenna Hauf; LEK Ranch; Little Goose Ranch; Otto Felix Nedwick; Sage See; Dean & Penny States; Paul Wagner & Emily Wagner; Andrew & Ryan Wilson

On display at
Kendrick Park

Turtle for Tots
By
Mary Zimmerman
Paonia, Colorado
3'x3'
 

 

Project
completion
2005
Part of the permanent collection

 

Flower Dancing in
the Wind

By
Jerry McKellar

Donated By
 Sheridan Public Arts Committee Golf Tournament 2005

On display at
Grinnell Plaza

Project
completion
September 2005
Part of the
permanent collection

 

Catbird Seat
By
Bill Noland

Donated By
 Bruce &  Dana Burns

On display on Main St.

Project
completion
2005
Part of the permanent collection


 

The Great Escape
By
Jerold Smiley
30" x  56" x 30"

Donated by
Dixie See & Bill Rawlings
on display on
Main Street

Project
completion
2007


 

J.D. Loucks
By
Jerold Smiley
6'

Donated By
Marsha Powers,
Jerold Smiley,
Margery Loucks Masters,
Marcia Masters Powers,
Alden & Jack Loucks,
Ann Beth & Nancy Garbutt

On display at
Grinnell Plaza

Project
completion
2005
Part of the permanent collection


 

Rocky Mountain Tag
By
Bill Noland
36"

Donated By
Paula & Gary Ellis

On display on
Main St.

Project
completion
2006
Part of the permanent collection

 

Bird Woman
By
R.V Greeves
5' 6"

Donated By
Kim, Alex and
Betsy Love

On display at
Grinnell Plaza

Project
completion
2006
Part of the permanent collection

 

Bella and the Bug
By
Louise Peterson
24"

Donated By
Sheridan Public Arts Committee Golf Tournament 2006

On display at
Main and Works

Project
completion
2006
Part of the permanent collection

 

Wilbur, the Pig
By
Mary Zimmerman
30"

Donated By
 Library Foundation

On display inside
Sheridan Library

Project
completion
2006
Part of the permanent collection

 

Big Handy
By
Jerry Palen
16"
 

Donated by
 Sheridan Public Arts Committee Golf Tournament 2007


On display on
Gould Street

Project
completion
Part of the permanent collection

 

The Orphans
By
Dellores B. Shelledy
30"
 

Donated by
Sheridan Public Arts Committee Golf Tournament

On display at
Grinnell Plaza

Project
completion

2007
Part of the permanent collection

 

The Boss
By
Dellores B. Shelledy
5'

Donated by
Public Arts Committee

On display on
Main Street

Project
completion
2007
Part of the permanent collection

 

Sonrise
By
Bill Noland
60"

Donated for
Pheasants Forever

On display at
Main and Grinnell Plaza

Project
completion
2007
Part of the
permanent collection

 

Whoa! What's This?
By
Mary Zimmerman
48"
 

Purchased by
Sheridan College

On display at Sheridan College

Project
completion

2007

 

Team Ropin'
By
Mike Flanagan
36" & 18"
 

Purchased by
Whitney Benefits

On display at Whitney Commons

Project
completion
2007

 

 

Saturn and Titan
By
Joe Burleigh
36"  x 52" x 36"

Donated by
Benefit Golf Tournament

On display on
Main Street

Project
completion
2008

 

 

Mountain Majesty
By
Robert Deurloo
42" x36" x 12"

Donated by
Benefit Golf Tournament

On display on Grinnell Plaza

Project
completion
2008

 

 

Wyoming Spring
By
Chon Love
24" x 6"
 

Donated by
Downtown Sheridan  Association

On display on
Grinnell Plaza

Project
completion
2008


Coming Home: Sacajawea at the Headwaters of the Missouri
By
Mary Michael
46" x 52" x 39"

Donated by
Zullig Family

On display on
Main Street

Project
completion
2007


Billy
By
Malen Pierson
3' x 2.5' x 1'

Donated by Benefit Golf

On display on
Grinnell Plaza

Project
completion
2008

 

The Careful Cougar
By
Dollores Shelledy
8' x 3' x 3'

Donated by
Public Arts

On display on
Grinnell Plaza

Project
completion
2008

 

Once Upon a Time
By
James Haire


 

Purchased by
Sheridan College Foundation

On display at Sheridan College
In Memory of
Susan Patton Fletcher

Project
completion
2008

 

2008 On Loan

 

Driving Force
By
Roane

$35,000
 

On display at First and  Main Street

Project
completion
On Loan

 


The Dance
By
James N. Muir


$60,000

On display at The Sheridan Inn

Project
completion
On Loan


Kilimanjaro Bull
By
John Tolmay

$33,000

On display on
Mandel and Main Street

Project
completion
On Loan


Rain Dancer
By
John Tolmay

$16,000

On display at Works and Main Street

Project
completion
On Loan


Fat Happy
By
Barrett Debusk

$15,000

On display at Alger and Main Street

Project
completion
On Loan


Ivan
By
Michael Birr

$7,650

On display at Works and Main Street

Project
completion
On Loan


The Great Escape
By
D. Michael Thomas

$48,000

On display at Alger  and Main Street

Project
completion
On Loan


The Potato Man
By
Susan Geissler

$ 27,000

On display at Loucks and Main Street

Project
completion
On Loan


May Flower
By
Susan Geissler

$9,500

On display at 160 N Main Street

Project
completion
On Loan


Troubles A'Bruin
By
Sam A. Terakedis

$ 38,000

On display on
Mandel and Main Street

Project
completion
On Loan


Polar Bears
By
Dollores Shelledy

$59,000

On display on
Alger and Gould Street

Project
completion
On Loan


Cowboys First Kiss
By
Mont L. Crosland

$6,500

On display on Main Street

Project
completion
On Loan


Last One In
By
James Haire

$15,000

On display at 2nd and Main Street

Project
completion
On Loan


Sacred Smoke
b
y
Don Coy

$10,000

On display at 250 N Main Street

Project
completion
On Loan


The Shepherd
By
Louise Peterson

$25,000

On display at Loucks and Gould Street

Project
completion
On Loan


Tall Cool One
By
Mary Michael

$6,500

On display at 11 N Main Street

Project
completion
On Loan


Leo
By
Pokey Park

$15,000

On display at 334 N Main Street

Project
completion
On Loan


High, Wide, and Handsome
By
Jerold Smiley

$38,000

On display at Loucks and Gould

Project
completion
On Loan



What's Up, Pussycat?
By
Steve Tyree

$7,500

On display at Brundage and Main Street

Project
completion
On Loan


Rachel Weeping for Her Children
by
Sondra Jonson

$4,900

On display at
39 S Main Street

Project
completion
On Loan


Joyful
by
Angela Mia De la Vega

$14,000

On display at
32 N Main Street

Project
completion
On Loan


Bumper Bird
By
Lani Andrews

$6,900

On display inside at
32 N Main Street

Project
completion
On Loan


Firecracker
By
Lani Andrews

$3,800

On display at 227 N Main Street

Project
completion
On Loan


Merkaba Durabo
By
Joe Burleigh

$6,800

On display at 22 Grinnell Plaza

Project
completion
On Loan


I'm Outta Here
By
Delmar Pettigrew

$5,500

On display at 109 N  Main Street

Project
completion
On Loan


Dakota Wind
By
Martha Pettigrew

$9,000

On display at Loucks and Main Street

Project
completion
On Loan


elk

Wapiti
By
Steve Tyree

$28,000

On display at Grinnell and Scott

Project
completion
On Loan

More Public Art on Display at
Sheridan County Library

Coming Through the Rye
by Frederick Remmington
24"

 

Donated by
William C. Fordyce

 

The Story Teller
By
Rv Greeves
36"

 

 

Donated by
Various individuals

 

 

There are many additional pieces of artwork on display at the
Sheridan County Library (click!)
For additional arts around Sheridan, WY click on the following links:
Bradford Brinton Memorial (click!)
   Jentel Arts (click!)
             Public Arts (click!)  (click!)

Ucross Foundation (click!)

For more information contact rwilson@wyoming.com

To learn more about Grinnell Plaza, click here

 

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