Where The Painted Buffalo Roam


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Where 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 $3,000 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 31, 2007 continuing through June 1, 2007 in West Yellowstone. The Grand Unveiling of all the painted buffalo occurred on June 2-3, 2007 on the front lawn of the West Yellowstone Historic Center. On June 3, 2007, 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. Please continue to check this web site for updates on the new sponsor locations for the buffalo.

In the fall of 2007 it was determined to add a crop of buffalo calves to our roaming herd of painted buffalo. Ten artists were commissioned to do the painting of the calves. As was the case with the cow molds, the ten calf molds took their place with their respective artist for 6-8 months in the states of Minnessota, Wyoming, & Montana. The calves were completed during the winter months of '07-'08. They were ceremoniously unveiled in June of 2008 and have taken their place next to the painted cows during this past summer. The calves were an exciting addition to the herd in 2008.

The events of 2009 hold an even greater significance for the herd. On the evening of August 29, 2009 the West Yellowstone Painted Buffalo herd will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. For the months leading up to the auction, bids will be accepted via www.wyed.org. On August 28, 2009 the highest online bid for each animal will become the starting bid for that animal at the live auction. The winners at the auction will ultimately determine the final "resting pasture" for each of the painted buffalo herd. A portion of the buffalo proceeds will go to benefit certain West Yellowstone non-profit organizaitons such as the Yellowstone Historic Center Museum. Please accept this as your invitation to join us for a weekend full of events starting August 28, 2009 and concluding August 30, 2009. Don't miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity. Never again will these animals be available to the general public. Place your bid TODAY!

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". Click here to place a bid to purchase one of these magnificent works of art!

Project Chairpersons & Volunteers:

Co-Chairpersons Buffalo Roam Project – John Greve & Janna Turner

Members-At-Large – Clyde Seely, Mike Polkowske, Pierre Martineau, &
 
 Glenn Hales.

Buffalo Photographer – Jerry Johnson

Chairman Painted Buffalo Calves - Clyde Seely

Chairman Art Show Committee - John Greve

Co-Chairpersons Merchandising Committee - John Greve, Glenn Hales,
 
 & Janna Turner.

Chairwoman Marketing & Promotion Committee - Janna Turner

Co-Chairpersons Auction Committee – Pierre Martineau & Glenn Hales

Chairman Website Committee – Glenn Hales

Co-Chairpersons Finance Committee – Mike Polkowske & Janna Turner


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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