“Comparing Time” is a part of the Capitol Avenue Bronze public art collection . . donated to the City of Cheyenne by private individuals, organizations or companies. For more information about the Capitol Avenue Bronze Project, visit Deselms Fine Art at https://deselmsfineart.com

Dakota Wind is a scale model of larger sculpture by Martha Pettigrew displayed in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The sculpture depicts a Native American woman wrapped in a Buffalo robe. The robe is being worn with the water-resistant Bison hide on the outside and thick winter Bison fur on the inside. Although the woman is well protected against the wind and cold of the high desert prairies of the American West, her face depicts her resignation as she waits patiently for better weather.

This sculpture was sponsored by Jim and Phyllis O’Connor, who have lived and worked in Cheyenne for the past 45 years. Jim was raised on a ranch near Philip, South Dakota, a location which he described as “in the middle of nowhere.” There were three Indian Reservations close to where Jim was raised.

Jim met Phyllis in college in South Dakota and they eventually moved to Wyoming. Jim and Phyllis met Martha Pettigrew at Deselms Fine Art. Phyllis was drawn to the sculpture’s depiction of a woman surviving the rigors of wind and cold. As noted on the bronze plaque of the statue, Jim and Phyllis donated Dakota Wind to honor “All People Who Have Lived in Wyoming.”

To learn more about the Capitol Avenue Bronze Project, visit this link . For more information about each artist, sponsoring a bronze, or becoming a donor/supporter at any level, please contact Harvey Deselms at Deselms Fine Art, located at 303 E. 17th Street Cheyenne. Email is [email protected] or call at 307 432 0606