Secunda’s steed welcomes motorists to Butler
In a nod to the ongoing effort to create a cultural district in downtown Butler, a 2,000-pound galloping metal horse and cowboy rider created by local artist Bill Secunda will greet northbound motorists about to cross the Gen. Richard Butler Bridge going into the city.
Donna Smith, president of the Butler Shade Tree Commission, said the horse was added on Tuesday, Nov. 7, to a patch of land that also contains two displays of the work of another local artist, Tom Panei.
Smith said the commission asked Secunda to loan one of his enormous works for the site to welcome motorists and their passengers to Butler, as Panei also has art displayed there.
When Secunda offered the 9-foot metal horse and rider, a member of the commission pointed out that the Pony Express once delivered mail in Butler.
“There is always traffic moving through there and the horse kind of embodies that,” Smith said.
She had to have the addition of the horse to the site approved by the Butler City Council, which was heartily passed by council members.
“Everyone just loved the idea, so it seemed to work out well,” Smith said.
She said the horse was previously displayed at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Mich., and in other locations.
“The horse has traveled, so we’re pretty excited it was placed (at the site),” Smith said.
She said security cameras will be added to the site to protect the artwork, and landscaping and a plaque identifying Secunda as the artist will be placed at the horse statue’s base.
Smith said four trees that bloom pink in the spring will be planted behind the horse in the coming days to accentuate the statue.
“It will kind of look like he’s running in a field,” she said.
The commission is open to other local art being placed at the site.
“I just think it’s a good location for people to see what Butler is all about,” Smith said.
She said a friend reported seeing a family taking a selfie with the horse on Wednesday.
“People are excited to see something new there,” Smith said.
Secunda said the sculpture, informally titled “Cowboy,” began life as a tribute to local law enforcement.
“At one time I called it ‘The First Responder,’” he said. “He’s headed to town for something, we don’t know what.”
But the ultimate meaning behind the statue remains open to interpretation, according to the artist.
“I always like to leave that open for people to come up with their own little story of what it’s doing,” he said.
