The Owensboro Magazine 2009

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Buffalo Trace By Benjamin Hoak Brings History to Owensboro irst-time visitors to Owensboro may be surprised to find a larger-than-life buffalo staring at them as they drive down Frederica Street. Despite his size, he’s harmless. In fact, he’s probably just waiting for his friends to join him. The animal is part of the Bronze Buffalo Trace, a five- to 10-year signature public art project of the Owensboro Public Art Commission. The first bronze buffalo – a 10-foot tall, 2,300-pound statue called “Into the Wind” created by noted western artist T.D. Kelsey – was erected in July 2008 in Ryan Park beside the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art at the corner of Ninth and Frederica streets. The commission’s vision calls for many more buffalo statues to be placed along Frederica Street from 10th Street to the Ohio River. “We see this as a signature project for The 2,300-pound bronze buffalo sculpture, titled Into The Wind, stands in Ryan Park. It is the Owensboro,” said Mary Bryan Hood, chair first installment in The Bronze Buffalo Trace that will recreate the history of the buffalo route to of the commission and director of the art muthe Ohio River traveling along what’s now Frederica Street. seum. “It’s aesthetically pleasing, historically significant and (provides) educational knowledge. It’s … an exciting project.” Owensboro as a center of commerce. UltiWith the Trace, the commission is at- which originated at a salt lick near Panther mately, the commission would like to see a Creek on the southeast side of the city. The tempting to recreate an historic buffalo trail lick is recorded on an 1806 map of Owensboro; bronze flatboat, complete with a figure of from the lick, buffalo followed trails toward Smeathers, as an historical focal point of OwOwensboro along what became Kentucky ensboro’s new riverfront development. Sculp231 and Kentucky 431. The paths merged tures of Cherokee and Shawnee hunters along near midtown Owensboro and continued the way would enhance the project as well. along what is now Frederica Street to The commission has developed renderings of a ravine which descended into the possible locations for other sculptures in various poses along Frederica Street. Ohio River. “Into the Wind” is a prototype for the Owensboro’s earliest known settler, William Smeathers, trav- Trace, but each individual sculpture – expecteled this trail in the late 1700s ed to cost from $50,000 to $150,000 – will before setting up a tavern at the be chosen and funded by private donors. The head of the ravine. His busi- commission will assist donors in locating suitness attracted keelboaters from able artists, negotiating contracts with the artthe river and began to establish ist and determining the size, style and location A pencil drawing of a buffalo made by 8-year-old Samuel Polio of Owensboro at an art camp sponsored by the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art became the inspiration for a steel sculpture by David Caudill. Caudill was so impressed with Polio’s drawing he signed the piece by “Polio and Caudill.” Polio stands next to the piece which will eventually be installed at the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden. F 8 OWENSBORO 2009

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Owensboro Magazine 2009

The Owensboro 2009 From our Chair Contents Buffalo Trace Brings History to Owensboro Environmental Education Blooms in the Garden Owensboro Arts and Cultural Events Making the Grade Building Opportunity In the Swim Economic Development through Placemaking Sister Cities brings International Benefits Embracing Innovation to spur Economic Development Creating a Pool of Skilled Workers Expanding Transportation Options One-Stop Business Licensing Robot Doctor Building a Locally-Based Food Economy Welcome to the Neighborhood Luxury Living on the River Moving In Trendy Excursions Evolves with the Times The Crème Brews Comfort Downtown Growing with the Community Family Business Boasts Longevity, Good Barbecue Entrepreneurial Spirit Comes Home Capturing the Broadway Market Ministering to Church Leaders Community at-a-Glance By the Numbers Dining & Catering Guide Advertiser Index

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