CWU's Horse Sculpture Returns Home

December 2, 2004

Contact: Robert Lowery (509-963-1487/fax 509-963-2301/e-mail: loweryr@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - After four months away, the familiar Central Washington University cast bronze horse sculpture, located on the west side of the Ellensburg campus adjacent to Hebeler Hall, is back home today.

It was returned to campus Tuesday, Nov. 30, after being on loan to Washington State University, where it served as one of the featured works in an exhibition, titled "Sculpture from the Walla Walla Foundry," that was publicly displayed from Aug. 20 to Oct. 17 in Pullman.

Along with "Wickiup," the display consisted of 11 sculptures created by nine artists who have all used the Walla Walla Foundry as their main casting source. Since 1980, that foundry has provided artists with the equipment, technology, facilities and technical capability needed to accomplish their "vision."

"These exhibits became the most ambitious art project in the history of Washington State University," Chris Bruce, WSU Museum of Art director, says. "Normal museum attendance doubled, while countless thousands of students, faculty, staff and visitors were exposed to world class art around campus."

Montana artist Deborah Butterfield created "Wickiup," which was installed in front of the WSU veterinary sciences buildings during the exhibition, from driftwood cast in bronze. It has been on permanent loan to CWU from the Washington State Arts Commission since 1995.

Butterfield, who has been creating sculptures since the 1970s, has pieces featured in art galleries and museums worldwide, as well as installations outside the White House.