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Putting Arts to Work for
Downtown
Large and small
communities alike are saying the same thing:
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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.
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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 2001, 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 16 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
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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.
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Great
Minds Think Alike
By
T.D. Kelsey
Pompeys Pillar, Montana
56-60"
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Donated by
Legend Communications
On display at
Grinnell Plaza |
project
completed August 2002
Part of the Permanent collection
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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.
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The Tin Man
By
Sam Street & Darcy Taylor
Sheridan, Wyoming
60"
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Donated by Sam
StreetOn
display at
Grinnell Plaza |
Project
completion
2005
Part of the Permanent Collection |
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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
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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.
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Summit CEOs
By
J.C. Dye
Stanford, Montana
60"
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Donated by
Sheridan Media
On display at
Grinnell Plaza |
Project
completed
June 2003
Part of the permanent collection
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Perfect on Petra
By
Ross Matteson
Olympia, Washington
67" x 20" x 18" |
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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
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Project Completed
2002
Part of the permanent collection
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Sandhill
Crane
By
Bunny Connell
Sheridan, Wyoming
48"
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Donated by
Sheridan Public Arts Committee Golf Tournament 2004
On display at
Sheridan Senior Center |
Project
completed
June 2003
Part of the permanent collection
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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'
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Project
completion
2005
Part of the permanent collection |
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Flower Dancing in
the Wind
By
Jerry McKellar |
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Donated By
Sheridan
Public Arts Committee Golf Tournament 2005
On
display at
Grinnell Plaza |
Project
completion
September
2005
Part of the
permanent collection |
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Catbird Seat
By
Bill Noland |
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Donated By
Bruce
& Dana Burns
On
display on Main St. |
Project
completion
2005
Part of the permanent collection |
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The Great Escape
By
Jerold Smiley
30" x 56" x 30"
(not including base)
$9,000 |
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Donated by
Dixie See & Bill Rawlings
on display
on
Main Street |
Project
completion
2007 |
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J.D. Loucks
By
Jerold Smiley
6' |
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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 |
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Rocky Mountain Tag
By
Bill Noland
36" |
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Donated By
Paula &
Gary Ellis
On display
on
Main St. |
Project
completion
2006
Part of the permanent collection |
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Bird Woman
By
R.V Greeves
5' 6" |
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Donated By
Kim, Alex
and
Betsy Love
On
display at
Grinnell Plaza |
Project
completion
2006
Part of the permanent collection |
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Bella and the Bug
By
Louise Peterson
24" |
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Donated By
Sheridan Public Arts
Committee Golf Tournament 2006
On display
at
BHJ corner (Main and Works) |
Project
completion
2006
Part of the permanent collection |
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Wilbur, the Pig
By
Mary Zimmerman
30" |
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Donated By
Library
Foundation
On display
inside
Sheridan Library |
Project
completion
2006
Part of the permanent collection |
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Big Handy
By
Jerry Palen
16" (not including base)
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Donated
by
Sheridan Public Arts Committee Golf
Tournament 2007
On display
on
Gould Street |
Project
completion
Part
of
the
permanent
collection |
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The Orphans
By
Dellores B. Shelledy
30" (not including base)
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Donated
by
Sheridan Public Arts Committee Golf Tournament 2007
On display
at
Grinnell Plaza |
Project
completion
Part
of the
permanent collection |
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The Boss
By
Dellores B. Shelledy
5'
$25,000 |
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Donated by
Public Arts
Committee
On display
on
Main Street |
Project
completion
2007
Part of the permanent collection |
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Sonrise
By
Bill Noland
60"
$14,000 |
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Donated for
Pheasants Forever
On display
at
Grinnell Plaza |
Project
completion
2007
Part of the
permanent collection |
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Whoa! What's This?
By
Mary Zimmerman
48"
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Purchased by Sheridan
College
On display
at Sheridan College |
Project
completion
2007 |
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Team Ropin'
By
Mike Flanagan
36" & 18"
(not including bases)
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Purchased by Whitney
Benefits
On display
at Whitney Commons |
Project
completion
2007 |
On Loan Collection
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The American Farmer
By
Sondra L. Johnson
36" (not including base)
$16,000 |
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On display
on
Main Street |
Project
completion
On Loan |
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One Who Welcomes Friends
By
John Kuchera
5' 6" (not including base)
$19,000 |
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On display
at
Grinnell Plaza |
Project
completion
On Loan |
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Saturn and Titan
By
Joe Burleigh
36" x 52" x 36"
$ 3,600 |
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On display
on
Main Street |
Project
completion
On Loan |
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Duster
By
Bobbie Carlyle
32" & 12"
(not Including base)
$6,300 |
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On display
on Main Street |
Project
completion
On Loan |
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Freedom
By
Brenda Daniher
18" x 24" x18"
(not including base)
$9,375 |
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On display
on Main Street |
Project
completion
On Loan |
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Mountain Majesty
By
Robert Deurloo
42" x36" x 12"
(not including base)
$9,500 |
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On display
on Main Street |
Project
completion
On Loan |
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Puddle Jumper
By
Susan Geissler
22 x 35" x 20"
(not including base)
$10,500 |
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On display
on
Main Street |
Project
completion
On Loan |
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Wyoming Spring
By
Chon Love
24" x 6"
(not including base)
$6,200 |
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On display
on
Main Street |
Project
completion
On Loan |
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Coming Home: Sacajawea at the
Headwaters of the Missouri
By
Mary Michael
46" x 52" x 39"
(not including base)
$ 38,000 |
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On display
on
Main Street |
Project
completion
On Loan |
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Self-Made Man
By
Bobbie Carlyle
48" x 20"
(not including base)
$16,500 |
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On display
on
Main Street |
Project
completion
On Loan |
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Nosey
By
Bill Noland
15" x 28" x 13.5"
(not including base)
$ 4,000 |
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On display
on
Main Street |
Project
completion
On Loan |
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Workhorse
By
Malen Pierson
2' x 5' x 6'
$ 5,400 |
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On display
on
Main Street |
Project
completion
On Loan |
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Penguins Waiting for Mama
By
Dollores Shelledy
2'3" x 3'8" x 2'4"
$15,500 |
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On display
on
Main Street |
Project
completion
On Loan |
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Billy
By
Malen Pierson
3' x 2.5' x 1'
(not including base)
$1,200 |
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On display
on
Main Street |
Project
completion
On Loan |
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The Careful Cougar
By
Dollores Shelledy
8' x 3' x 3'
$33,500 |
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On display
on
Main Street |
Project
completion
On Loan |
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The Great Escape
By
Jerold Smiley
30" x 56" x 30"
(not including base)
$9,000 |
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On display
on
Main Street |
Project
completion
On Loan |
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Brandy
By
Mary Zimmerman
18" x 27" x 24"
(not including base)
$5,000 |
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On display
on
Main Street |
Project
completion
On Loan |
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Escape
By
Bunny Hanley
20" x 19" x 5'
(not including base)
$4,900 |
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On display
on Main Street |
Project
completion
On Loan |
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Electric Slide and
Twist and Shout
By
Pokey Park
$14,000 each |
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On display
on
Mandel and Main Street |
Project
completion
On Loan |
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Driving Force
By
Roane
$35,000
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On display at Burkitt and Main Street |
Project
completion
On Loan |
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Once Upon a Time
By
James Haire
$22,000
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On display at Main Street
at The Book Shop |
Project
completion
On Loan |
More Public Art on
Display at
Sheridan County Library
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Coming Through the Rye
24"
(not including base) |
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Donated by
William C. Fordyce |
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The Story Teller
By
Rv Greeves
36"
(not including bases)
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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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