Key Points:
- Wichita’s iconic Keeper of the Plains sculpture celebrates its 50th anniversary with a free community event.
- The sculpture, created by artist Blackbear Bosin, was donated to the city in honor of the Bicentennial of the United States.
- The celebration will include a re-dedication of the sculpture, park run, powwow, art exhibits, food trucks, and fireworks.
Few cities have a single piece of public art that provides a better known icon of the community than Wichita’s Keeper of the Plains sculpture.
The Keeper, a Native American chief with his hands raised in supplication to the Great Spirit, soars 44 feet from the top of a 30-foot promontory of rock at the confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas River in downtown Wichita.
On May 18, Wichita will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the dedication of the Keeper with a Party for the People, a free, family-friendly celebration that will run from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and will include a re-dedication of the sculpture. It will also include a park run, an indoor powwow, Native performances, art exhibits, food trucks, outdoor games and activities, exhibits from community partners, free museum admission, fireworks and more.
The sculpture was crafted by Kiowa-Comanche artist Blackbear Bosin and donated to the city in honor of the Bicentennial of the United States.
Bosin was initially commissioned by Elmer Hall of Kansas Gas and Electric in 1968 to design a statue for the confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas rivers but due to funding issues, the project stalled. With help from the City, State and community fundraising efforts led by the Quivira Council of Boy Scouts of America and through the hard work and generosity of Architectural Metal Products, the Keeper was completed and installed on May 18, 1974.
In 2006, the City of Wichita built the Keeper Plaza and bridges, elevating the Keeper on a 30-foot-tall rock surrounded by a ring of fire pots. The sculpture is a local landmark and one of the most-visited attractions in Wichita.
This year’s celebration of the Keeper is presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, in partnership with Mid-America All-Indian Center’s Bosin Society, the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County, Evergy and other sponsors,
“Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion as we recognize the importance of ensuring people of all backgrounds are seen, heard and valued,” said Lonnie Walker, Jr., BCBSKS Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “As a result, we are proud to intentionally support Keeper of the Plains as it reflects an aspect of the rich diversity of the communities that we serve.”
A preliminary schedule of events is posted at theindianmuseum.org/50th and will be kept updated as information becomes available.
