Life-size fiberglass bison painted or adorned in a myriad of creative ways will soon be displayed throughout Porter County and the rest of Indiana as part of the Indiana Association of United Ways’ Bison-tennial Public Art initiative.
The art project is an officially endorsed legacy project of the Indiana Bicentennial Commission to celebrate Indiana’s 200th birthday on December 11, 2016.
United Way of Porter County recently received four fiberglass bison sponsored by Prompt Ambulance, Portage Township Schools, Indiana Dunes Tourism and Task Force Tips. The four blank canvases will be painted by a variety of artists, including Opportunity Enterprises’ Amazing Artists program participants and Portage High School art students.
“We are thrilled to lead the project efforts here in Porter County,” said Kim Olesker, president & CEO of United Way of Porter County. “It’s a great way to build community pride and celebrate the birth of our state.”
The bison will begin to be unveiled at the end of May and will be displayed throughout Porter County until the state bicentennial celebration in December. United Way of Porter County is encouraging individuals and event organizers to participate by assisting in naming the bison or hosting one at a community event.
Those interested in entering the naming contest should submit their ideas to www.PorterBison.com. The winner will be announced at the end of May and will have the opportunity to ride with the bison in the 2016 Valparaiso Popcorn Festival parade on the United Way of Porter County and Prompt Ambulance float.
Festival and event organizers interested in hosting a bison may submit a request via the program website listed above. To learn more about the Bison-tennial Public Art initiative in Porter County, follow United Way of Porter County on Facebook at www.facebook.com/unitedwaypc and @unitedwaypc on Twitter.