People living in Salt Lake and Davis Counties are doing double-takes these days.
It seems that dozens of buffalo are grazing in very unusual areas.
Keith McCord went hunting for buffalo.
It certainly turned a lot of heads, as it headed down the street!
"I DON'T SEE A LOT OF BUFFALOES ON TRUCKS....PINK ONES ANYWAY."
Pink ones on trucks.
Multi-colored ones grazing at the state capitol.
Or just hanging out in front of a city building. The "Utah Buffalo Round-up" is in full swing.
Last spring, the "animals" showed up at the Davis County Fairgrounds, looking a rather drab grey in color. The Buffalo project rounds up sponsors, who buy the buffalo, and then recruit local artists to paint them!
Later, each one will be auctioned off, to raise money for charity.
Rick Mayfield/Project Director: "I THINK IT'S REALLY TAKEN OFF OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. WHEN WE PUT BUFFALO UP AT THE CAPITOL, PEOPLE GOT EXCITED ABOUT IT. PEOPLE ARE MAKING TRIPS OUT NOW TO LOOK AT THE BUFFALO."
So far, about 30 buffalo have been painted, and they are being placed in various locations. This week, a couple were dropped off in front of the Devereaux House, across from the Delta Center.
Artist Gene Stark-- a first-time buffalo painter-- painted up this guy quickly.
Gene Stark/Artist: "OH ABOUT A WEEK OR SO, IN VARIOUS STAGES OF LETTING IT DRY AND THINGS LIKE THAT. AND THEN AFTER WE GOT HIM PAINTED, WE TOOK HIM OVER AND HAD HIM 'CLEAR-COATED' IN AN AUTOMOTIVE SHOP!"
The artists are obviously having fun with this, using bright colors and creative, intricate designs.
Check out the checkered hoofs and horns on this one!
And, yep, someone did come up with a "patriotic" buffalo!
For this project, anything goes.
Rick Mayfield/Project Director: "RIGHT NOW WE'RE TRYING TO FIND LOCATIONS IN DOWNTOWN SALT LAKE AND DAVIS COUNTY, WHERE WE'LL HAVE THEM DURING THE OLYMPICS. WE'LL PUBLISH A MAP SO THE PUBLIC CAN GO OUT AND VISIT THEM, AND SEE WHERE THEY'RE AT, TAKE THEIR PICTURE."
Come next September, these buffalo will be rounded up, auctioned off, with the money going to various charity and arts groups in the area.
For companies or artists interested in taking part, there are still about 25 buffalo that are still grey and available.
For more information go to www.utahbuffaloroundup.com.
Nov. 9, 2001
