Come See the Artwork of… BECKY HOCHHALTER… who has transformed our blank canvas Bison into a masterpiece.
In celebration of Indiana’s 200th birthday, the Duke Energy Foundation has contributed a 200-pound fiberglass bison to be placed in Terre Haute’s Griffin Bike Park, an Indiana Bicentennial Legacy Project. This effort is part of a public art project with the Indiana Bicentennial Commission.
Becky Hochhalter, a local professional artist, will paint the bison after collaborating with Kara Kish, VCPR Department Superintendent and the Griffin family on the design.
The Bicentennial Commission launched a statewide public art effort where artists, students and other Hoosiers have decorated the 5-foot tall by 8-foot long fiberglass bison. The legacy project aims to engage Hoosiers in Indiana’s Bicentennial and to have colorful bison displayed in each of Indiana’s 92 counties. The Duke Energy Foundation is contributing six bison to different locations in its service area.
“This is fun, Indiana history in our state’s bicentennial year, and the bison will be enjoyed for many years to come,” said Rick Burger, Duke Energy’s Terre Haute community relations manager.
The bison, or American buffalo as it is often called, is prominently displayed on Indiana’s state seal. The sun rising on the seal shows that Indiana has a bright future. The woodman represents civilization subduing the Indiana wilderness. The fleeing bison represents the wilderness fleeing westward from advancing civilization.
The Griffin Bike Park was established in honor of U.S. Army Sgt Dale Griffin who was KIA in Afghanistan on October 27, 2009 while serving with the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry. It is interesting to note that the 17th Infantry were referred to as the Buffaloes and their distinctive insignia pin had the image of an American buffalo embedded on it. (Pictures on Pages 2 and 3)
Indiana’s 200 h birthday is December 11, 2016, the day Indiana officially became a state.
