Elk Art on Parade will benefit Child And Parent Services (CAPS), Elkhart County’s non-profit child abuse prevention agency. It is a public art exhibition that places life-size fiberglass elk designed and created by local artists in county landscapes for the public to view and interact with. While the base elk sculptures remain the same, each of the artists are challenged to creatively convey part of the history of Elkhart County through their own interpretation of the elk as an object of art. Elk Art on Parade is funded through individual and corporate sponsorships.
Elkhart County makes an ideal pasture for the Elks, given its celebrated history and cultural riches. In the summer of 2011, the streets and parks of Elkhart County, will host up to 29 life-sized fiberglass artist created elk turning Elkhart County into a forum for public art – filled with innovation and creativity.
What is Elk Art on Parade?
This event will bring pride and excitement to the Elkhart County Community by decorating our streets, parks and businesses with fiberglass elk, decorated by local artists.
Local businesses will sponsor an elk, and underwrite the cost of production, shipping and art supplies. A local artist will then be given the elk to decorate. Decorations will reflect the history and richness of the Elkhart County Community. The elk will then be put on display for 5 months during the summer of 2011. In November of 2011, the elk will then be brought to a central location, and will be auctioned.
The proceeds from the sale of the elk will benefit CAPS – Child And Parent Services. After the auction, the winning bidder may put the elk in display privately, or may make arrangements for a public display with a business or with the towns/cities within the county.
Why Elk?
When a calf (baby elk) is born, it spends the first year of its life with the herd. The entire herd takes responsibility for nurturing and protecting the calf for the first year until it is able to care for itself. This model is what we desire for Elkhart County’s children; a community where everyone takes responsibility for nurturing and protecting its young. CAPS continually strives to engage the community in keeping our young protected and nurtured.
