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Artist Mary Spurgeon honored by Kansas House of RepresentativesKansas The Kansas House of Representatives announced the passage of House Resolution 6015, honoring Kansas native and renowned sculptor Mary Spurgeon for her distinguished work and artistic achievements representing the spirit of the State of Kansas. Rep. Deena Horst, R-Salina, commented on Spurgeon's work and its relevance to Kansas history, noting her admiration for the artist's renderings of authentic Kansas spirit and tradition. "While on our annual tour of the state, members of the Joint Committee on Arts and Cultural Resources were introduced to Mary Spurgeon's amazing sculptures," Rep. Horst said. "We were very impressed with her ability to capture the essence of her subject matter, which includes realistic representations of historical figures and of animals from her ranching experience. We thought it to be of the utmost importance to introduce the people of this state to the talent of another Native Kansan." Spurgeon grew up working as a cattle hand for her parents near Dodge City. After much success as a painter and rancher in the Oklahoma panhandle, she took up sculpture at the age of 72. Spurgeon has work on display at the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, the Dodge City Public Library, galleries in Wyoming, Denver, and western art shows across the country. Her 8-foot-tall statue of Wyatt Earp is the first work in a series placed along the Dodge City Trail of Fame. Also a nominee to the Cowgirl Hall of Fame, Spurgeon was the featured artist in the Oklahoma State Capital Governor's Gallery and has work on permanent display. Her artwork has also been exhibited at the Western Spirit Show at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Museum, the American Quarter Horse Congress, the Barrel Racing Futurity and National Reining Finals in Oklahoma City, the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association in Kansas City, the Texas Stockgrowers Association in Fort Worth, and the Festival of the West in Scottsdale, Ariz. Spurgeon celebrated her 90th birthday in February, and still lives on a ranch near Gate, Okla., close to the site of the original sod house on land settled by her husband's grandparents. HR 6015 states that Spurgeon has, "won renown for her bronze renditions of horses, cattle, cowboys, and American Indians." It continues, "Due to Spurgeon's lifetime of experience with horses and cattle, her art work is noted for being genuine and uniquely capable of accurately capturing the spirit and life of the animals and people portrayed." Spurgeon was accompanied to the state capitol in Topeka by daughter Linda Spurgeon of Gate, sons Del Roy Spurgeon of Gate and Shannon Spurgeon of Wichita, granddaughter Shauna Scott of Dodge City, and great-grandchildren Lindee and Taylor Price of Ensign. Adverse weather made flying in for the ceremony impossible for son James Spurgeon of Oklahoma City, and grandson Will Spurgeon of Bartlesville. The measure cleared the House on a unanimous vote, with a small ceremony honoring Spurgeon's work and accomplishments. For more information, contact Shauna Scott at 620-225-1824.
Date: 5/1/08
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