By Kacie Svoboda
The Hill City Arts Council reached a milestone this month when they paid off Iron Star, the life-size, scrap-iron hybrid horse sculpture. This sculpture by the South Dakota artist John Lopez won People's Choice at the 2009 Sculpture in the Hills Show and Sale.
“We chose to purchase Iron Star, not only because it was voted People's Choice but because it also speaks to our heritage,” said Janna Emmel, current executive director of the arts council and president of the arts council board of directors when Iron Star was first purchased. “The horse, integral to Plains Indian culture and the culture of the West yesterday and today, fits right into our town. The style of the artwork, a fine art piece that incorporates both bronze casting and ‘found’ objects on the artist's ranch—also speaks to who we are as a town in the Black Hills.”
The Arts Council developed the sculpture show with the intent to use any profits to purchase art for Hill City.
The arts council constantly has its eye out for works of art that would add to Hill City’s “livability and appeal.” The first piece of public art it purchased was area artist Peg Detmers’ bison sculpture Patriarch. The purchase of Iron Star was facilitated by Lopez, allowing the arts council to pay for the sculpture over the past six years.
“We’ve had people tell us that the horse sculpture actually caused them to stop in our town and check us out,” said Janna Emmel. “John’s art is very interactive as the artwork has ‘hidden’ objects that people – young and old – are surprised to discover as they view the piece.”
Main Street business owners also appreciate the presence of the sculpture downtown.
“It’s an attraction,” said Judy Walker of Stage Stop Leather and Gifts. “It draws people.”
With Hill City’s situation between two of the world’s largest sculptures — Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse — the council believes it only makes sense to continue to bring “monumental art” into town. It’s also why the town hosts the Sculpture in the Hills event each summer as the only one in the region. With the final payment for Iron Star in the books, the Hill City Arts Council can continue its search for public art to add to the attractiveness and appeal of the Hill City community.