Where The Painted Buffalo Roam


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Where The Painted Buffalo RoamWhere The Painted Buffalo Roam

The West Yellowstone Economic Development Council, Inc. (WYED) wanted to provide a new venue for artistic expression in West Yellowstone and at the same time enhance the economic vitality of our town. Buffalo roaming the streets of West Yellowstone has been a common thing in years gone by. Why not have artistic versions of these majestic animals roaming our streets again?

Montana artist and sculptor, Joe Halko, was contracted to create a near life-sized model of a cow buffalo. His completed model was then sent to Fiberstock Inc. of Buffalo, Minnesota, for final fabrication of 27 fiberglass buffalo statues that were trucked to West Yellowstone in early November 2006.

The project was eagerly endorsed by the town with sponsors contributing $3000 each to help cover production and preparation costs associated with the project. Generous donations of up to $10,000 were also given in either cash or in-kind contributions.

Artists from 4 states were solicited to present an artistic rendition of one of three themes - Yellowstone National Park, Historic West Yellowstone or the Native American. Over 40 artists responded with contracts being awarded to 25 local and regional artists. Soon thereafter, 25 of the naked buffalo left West Yellowstone for travel to Minnesota, Wyoming, Montana and Colorado. It has taken 5 months for the buffalos to be dressed in brightly colored paints representing the artist’s chosen themes but the buffalos have again come home to West Yellowstone.

A 26th buffalo, affectionately named "Frances", was painted by 15 of the participating artists in a collage painting on the evening of May 31st continuing through June 1st in West Yellowstone. The Grand Unveiling of all the painted buffalo occurred on June 2nd and 3rd on the front lawn of the West Yellowstone Historic Center. On June 3rd, the actual roaming took place as “Buffalo Herders” distributed the buffalo statues, securely mounted on their bases, to their new homes around West Yellowstone. Each spring for the next three years, the buffalo will truly roam as they are moved from one sponsor to another around the town.

Hundreds of thousands of pictures will be taken by visitors who will be in awe of these brightly painted buffalo. These pictures and other souvenirs will be carried with them throughout the world. It is hoped that West Yellowstone, Montana, will long be remembered as being the home of The Painted "Buffalo Roam".


Project Chairman and Staff:

Chairman – Clyde Seely

Members-At-Large – Mike Polkowske and Pierre Martineau

Buffalo Photographer – Jerry Johnson

Co-Chairpersons Painted Buffalo Calves - Louise Graham &
 
  Clyde Seely

Chairman Events Committee - Kemper Lengel

Chairman Merchandising Committee - John Greve

Chairwomen Marketing Committee - Janna Turner

Staff – Louise Graham

Buffalo Roam Committees:

WYED extends its appreciation to those who served on the following committees by donating their time and talents in order to make this project possible:

   

Marketing and Advertising
Events
Merchandising

Buffalo Wranglers
Buffalo Gals and Guys
 
 

Also Visit: W. Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce | W. Yellowstone Historic Center | Town of W. Yellowstone | Events Calendar


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