The Trail of Painted Ponies
The Trail of Painted Ponies Figurines
In the history of art, the horse has been an enduring source of inspiration, presented by
painters and sculptors with endless variation and invention. The Trail of Painted Ponies has
continued and updated this tradition, while adding a new chapter.
The Beginning
It began in the summer of 2000. A major sculptor was commissioned to create a life-size
horse that was cast in a durable resin blend. A call went out to the artistic community
around the Southwest, inviting famous as well as emerging artists to submit designs that
imaginatively celebrated the creative spirit. And the response was overwhelming, with
results that ranged from the delightful to the breathtaking.
The Public Art Project
Corporations, small businesses, individuals and organizations were then invited to select
their favorite designs for sponsorship, and 120 Ponies were painted. The magnificent
artwork was exhibited around New Mexico, and citizens and visitors were encouraged to
saddle up and take a "trail drive." The Ponies brought joy and delight into the lives of
thousands of people, and their artistic excellence generated rave reviews in newspapers
and magazines nationally.
A New Breed of Fundraiser
In the fall of 2001, the Ponies were rounded up and sold through live and internet Trails End Auctions, as well as direct negotiations. The majority of the proceeds benefited youth,
arts, social, cultural, animal and environmental non-profit organizations, and more than a
half-million dollars was "ponied up." Painted Ponies now reside in homes, businesses, art galleries and museums across the country.
Back in the Saddle
The tale of the Trail does not end here. What started in New Mexico as a daring and noble
art adventure is growing. During the summer of 2002, a fresh herd of Painted Ponies
grazed in lobbies and parks across New Mexico, and once again, hundreds of thousands
of dollars were raised for nonprofit organizations.
|
