The shiny silver buffalo on the grounds of the Springfield Art Association (SAA), 700 North Fourth Street, is a beloved community icon that is now in need of restoration. John Kearney, a Chicago-based artist, created the 800-pound sculpture out of chrome car bumpers. The "Bicentennial Bison" was installed Oct. 18, 1975, in the SAA courtyard. In 1992 Illinois Times reported that the Bicentennial Bison was a surprise winner in the Best of Springfield, "Best Public Art" category.
William Bealmer, director of the SAA at the time, said in an Illinois Times article from Oct. 30, 1975, they "commissioned this particular sculpture with children in mind." Indeed, many generations have enjoyed seeing and climbing on the sculpture. After nearly 50 years of being loved and exposed to the elements, the buffalo needs some joint repairs and polishing.
Kearney died in 2014. His longtime assistant, John Keith, is now traveling the country to identify pieces that need work and is doing repairs and restoration in Kearney's old studio and foundry in Chicago. The SAA's silver buffalo will travel to Chicago this winter where it will be buffed, cleaned and sections removed and re-chromed.
Kearney worked almost exclusively in chrome car bumpers. Betsy Dollar, SAA executive director, describes his work as an early form of creative recycling. Another local example of his work is the white-tailed deer sculpture which was installed outside the visitor center in the State Capitol Complex in 1994.
To raise the $20,000 that is needed for the restoration, the SAA is sponsoring a Western-style "Buffalo Bonanza" extravaganza on Saturday, Nov. 4, 6:30-9:30 p.m. This family-friendly evening will feature food and entertainment including heavy hors d'oeuvres from Cured Catering, line dancing led by Prairie Land Dance Club, a performance by Chris Camp the Whip Guy and opportunities to tell your buffalo stories. Dollar says this event will be a lot of fun and crazy different from the many other events and programs presented by the SAA. Register online at https://www.springfieldart.org/buffalo-bonanza.html or call 217-523-2631 and pay at the door. The event will also support the SAA's mission of providing art education opportunities for the greater Springfield community.
Unfortunately, the SAA has limited information about how the Bicentennial Bison project was conceived and paid for nearly a half century ago. They welcome hearing memories that longtime residents may have from when the sculpture was first created, as well as personal stories of enjoying this icon over the years. Call 217-523-2631 or email [email protected] to share your stories or post your comments on Facebook at www.facebook.com/springfieldart.
