Gates naming project still open for public input
By Jennifer Stultz
Pratt Tribune Editor CherryRoad Media
Once again, as always, there are interesting things to see and ways to experience art first-hand at the Vernon Filley Art Museum, 421 S. Jackson, Pratt. Brightly colored bottle-cap art displays capture attention at the front door, area artists are busy setting up and presenting demonstrations inside on designated dates (see Vernon Filley Art Museum online for specifics), and in the back courtyard a special naming project is ongoing, soliciting public input.
Tall Grass Forge sculpture Dustin Sypher (http:// www.tallgrassforge.com) has completed a commissioned set of courtyard gates that depict life and scenery of the high plains, for which Pratt is noted.
Museum staff has issued a special CALL FOR ENTRIES, asking that the public submit gate-naming ideas by Sept. 17 online at the Vernon Filley website for the permanent sculpture.
“Submit your suggestion for a chance to have your title selected by artist Dustin Sypher. The winner will receive $50 gift card and print from the Filley Gift Shoppe,” said museum director Brittany Novotny.
The seclected title for the artwork will be announced September 24, with the winning entry placed on a permanent bronze wall plaque mounted in the courtyard.
The three courtyard gates now needing “names” were commissioned by Doug and Kay Knight and donated to the museum permanent collection in 2014. Dustin Sypher has several new works of art in the current Flora and Fauna exhibit – which brought about an opportunity to look at the gates again more closely and involve the community in a naming project.
“The Filley is honored to have these one of a kind art pieces and we are excited to see what the community thinks we should name these!” Novotny said.
The gates may be viewed at the museum, and online at the Filley Facebook page at: https://www.facebook. com/media/set/. The link to enter a title can be found on the museum website or Facebook or at https://forms.gle/qeiPv-GARDhnSL9J9A. Names for the artwork may also be entered in person at the museum during open hours.
Novotny said that a new piece of art by “Tall Grass Forge” owner and artist Dustin Sypher will be added to the Filley’s permanent collection in September 2022. The iron sculpture will be a beautiful new addition to the courtyard which already features iron gates created by Sypher in 2014. The gates were commissioned and donated by Doug and Kay Knight.Museum builder J.A. Knight & Sons were the contractors that constructed the new museum in 2014. The new sculpture compliments the style and subject matter of the gates, featuring prairie grasses formed from steel wagon rims that were collected from this region and repurposed into his fitting sculpture.
New bronze plaques will be installed in the courtyard as well to recognize the generous donors, Steve and Willa Beth Mills who said they wanted to gift the sculpture to the museum for the community to enjoy for many years to come.
There are two Sypher sculptures currently on display in the courtyard and one in the gallery as part of the “Flora and Fauna” exhibition which lasts through March 18, 2023.
Name these gates and win a gift certificate to merchandise from the Vernon Filley Art Museum in Pratt. Courtesy photo
By Jennifer Stultz
Pratt Tribune Editor CherryRoad Media
Once again, as always, there are interesting things to see and ways to experience art first-hand at the Vernon Filley Art Museum, 421 S. Jackson, Pratt. Brightly colored bottle-cap art displays capture attention at the front door, area artists are busy setting up and presenting demonstrations inside on designated dates (see Vernon Filley Art Museum online for specifics), and in the back courtyard a special naming project is ongoing, soliciting public input.
Tall Grass Forge sculpture Dustin Sypher (http:// www.tallgrassforge.com) has completed a commissioned set of courtyard gates that depict life and scenery of the high plains, for which Pratt is noted.
Museum staff has issued a special CALL FOR ENTRIES, asking that the public submit gate-naming ideas by Sept. 17 online at the Vernon Filley website for the permanent sculpture.
“Submit your suggestion for a chance to have your title selected by artist Dustin Sypher. The winner will receive $50 gift card and print from the Filley Gift Shoppe,” said museum director Brittany Novotny.
The seclected title for the artwork will be announced September 24, with the winning entry placed on a permanent bronze wall plaque mounted in the courtyard.
The three courtyard gates now needing “names” were commissioned by Doug and Kay Knight and donated to the museum permanent collection in 2014. Dustin Sypher has several new works of art in the current Flora and Fauna exhibit – which brought about an opportunity to look at the gates again more closely and involve the community in a naming project.
“The Filley is honored to have these one of a kind art pieces and we are excited to see what the community thinks we should name these!” Novotny said.
The gates may be viewed at the museum, and online at the Filley Facebook page at: https://www.facebook. com/media/set/. The link to enter a title can be found on the museum website or Facebook or at https://forms.gle/qeiPv-GARDhnSL9J9A. Names for the artwork may also be entered in person at the museum during open hours.
Novotny said that a new piece of art by “Tall Grass Forge” owner and artist Dustin Sypher will be added to the Filley’s permanent collection in September 2022. The iron sculpture will be a beautiful new addition to the courtyard which already features iron gates created by Sypher in 2014. The gates were commissioned and donated by Doug and Kay Knight.Museum builder J.A. Knight & Sons were the contractors that constructed the new museum in 2014. The new sculpture compliments the style and subject matter of the gates, featuring prairie grasses formed from steel wagon rims that were collected from this region and repurposed into his fitting sculpture.
New bronze plaques will be installed in the courtyard as well to recognize the generous donors, Steve and Willa Beth Mills who said they wanted to gift the sculpture to the museum for the community to enjoy for many years to come.
There are two Sypher sculptures currently on display in the courtyard and one in the gallery as part of the “Flora and Fauna” exhibition which lasts through March 18, 2023.
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