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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".
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Chairman – Clyde Seely