{"id":90045,"date":"2025-09-26T09:35:33","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T14:35:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=90045"},"modified":"2025-09-26T09:49:42","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T14:49:42","slug":"city-commission-approves-bison-on-the-loose-art-installation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=90045","title":{"rendered":"City Commission approves “Bison on the Loose” art installation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By ALICIA FEYERHERM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tiger Media Network<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hays City Commission granted permission for painted bison statues to be installed in public spaces during Thursday\u2019s meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBison on the Loose\u201d is an initiative by the Heartland Community Foundation and the Ellis County Youth Action Council. The goal is to purchase up to 25 life-size fiberglass bison statues to be placed throughout the county, with three in Ellis, two in Victoria and 20 in Hays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt kind of creates a visible symbol that residents can connect with and take pride in,\u201d Youth Action Council member Oaklye Wichers said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Statues are expected to be installed in spring 2026. This timing aligns with the 110-year anniversary of the first bison herd being brought to Hays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


\u201cWhen a lot of people think of Hays, they think of bison,\u201d Wichers said. \u201cI mean, everyone knows we have them out there on the bypass and people visit them a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bison would be painted by local and student artists to reflect the community\u2019s heritage and history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Executive Director for Heartland Community Foundation Sarah Meitner, each high school art department in the county will receive one bison to paint together under the direction of the art teacher. Eleven will be put out to jury among professional artists and then 10 will be available for student art groups at Fort Hays State University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each bison costs approximately $5,000, so the total cost of the project will be $125,000. The Youth Action Committee has raised $120,000 so far. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are just going to work on some more advertising and hopefully the fundraising will come along with it,\u201d Youth Action Council Member Savannah Clingan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part of the funds will be set aside for maintenance and for reapplication of the automotive-grade top coat in 7 to 10 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe goal is for the majority of the statues to last 15 to 20 years, so not a permanent installation, though some communities have been able to have some that have lasted longer than that, \u201d Metiner said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main request of the commission is to allow some of the bison to be placed on public property. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are prepared to move forward with putting them all in private spaces, but as we think about this initiative and what it could mean, and how it could enhanced, we all were really in agreement that a mix of private and public spaces would help it to be even more impactful,\u201d Meitner said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some sponsors, such as Hays Area Bicyclists, have already noted they would like a bison near the bike paths at Frontier Park. Other requested locations include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n