keeping art in our everday lives!
The Platte Valley Arts Council is happy to announce that of artist Jerry Palen has donated a special bronze statue for benefit oft he PVAC scholarship fund. The bronze, “Desert Dust” depicts the famous wild mustang from the Red Desert.
A few years ago, while planning the Platte Valley Public Art Project, Jerry and Ann Palen and Stacy Crimmins sat down to discuss ideas. “Jerry was passionate about helping the PVAC in raising funds and he told Ann he wanted to donate a bronze of “Desert Dust.” At the time, Jerry’s health was failing, and he wanted to leave this gift.” Crimmins remembered, “Jerry was so very thankful for the arts council and wanted to giveback to the organization. When Ann brought out the bronze, we all became a bit emotional. The piece is absolutely stunning.” The fact that this bronze is only the second to be cast is significant. The Palen family owns the first cast. Most of Jerry’s work is in private collections and does not come onto the market often. This auction is a rare opportunity for arts patrons and collectors of Jerry’s work.
The statue, valued at $6,000, will be sold by silent auction to raise money for the PVAC scholarship fund. Online pre-bidding will be offered as well as bidding during the Festival of the Arts Art Show, held July 5-7, 2024, at the Platte Valley Community Center. The auction will end on Sunday afternoon.
******Colleen Peryam, Encampment, was the winner of the silent auction with a bid of $3700. She was thrilled to take home this one-of-a-kind bronze sculpture!
