Some of Our Horses are Born Wild,
While Others are Just Painted That Way…

By Linda Lauby
Photo above by Steve Alterman. Photos below by Tricia Ibelli

Maybe we Outer Bankers just like to hold onto things. It probably goes back to our early history, when shipwrecks were common along our shores. And yet it may go back only a decade or so, when procuring goods and services meant a day trip away from our barrier islands. No matter the origins, we decided to hold onto our winged horses just a little longer than initially planned.

In front of Mako Mike's Restaurant in Kill Devil Hills is "J.J.," decorated by Rob Snyder, Maggie Jones and Kent Godwin.

The Winged Horse Extravaganza, sponsored by Outer Banks Press, was originally conceived as a gift to the community in conjunction with the First Flight Centennial Celebration, and a roundup and auction were slated for December 2003. But owing to an overwhelming number of requests from tourists and sponsors, the 2003 horse auction was postponed, and the Winged Horse Extravaganza was extended through fall of 2004. A few more fiberglass horses were sold and decorated, and the community settled in for another year’s worth of visitors asking, "What’s up with the horses?"

"Garcia Lorca," painted by Mary Chandler Touhey, stands outside The Island Inn in Ocracoke as tribute to the late Spanish dramatist and poet Federico Garcia Lorca.

While many feel that winged horses are a natural fit for this regional art exhibit, others question our choice. We at Outer Banks Press wanted an icon that would represent a beloved feature of our barrier islands, and we wanted to incorporate an element of flight into that icon. Since our northern beaches are home to what’s purported to be one of the largest herds of Spanish mustangs still remaining in the wild, we didn’t have to look far for a suitable image that for us symbolizes freedom, beauty, endurance, strength and tenacity. By adding wings, our project took flight.

Winged horses may seem out of the ordinary to the throngs of visitors that seasonally populate our barrier islands, but they’re now part of our Outer Banks landscape. Those of us who live here have become so accustomed to seeing creatively decorated fiberglass horses adorning our thoroughfares, that when one is removed for maintenance work, it’s noticeably absent. We’re even used to seeing camera-wielding tourists stopped along the roads, taking photographs of their families posing with winged horses.

Alfred and Susan Bevan are sponsors of "Sea Star," painted by Lee Mansfield.

The two primary beneficiaries of this program are the Corolla Wild Horse Fund and the Monument to a Century of Flight. The Corolla Wild Horse Fund’s predominant goal is to protect and preserve the remaining horses of our local herd, while allowing them to live freely in the wild. Wild Horse Fund members exemplify the word "commitment" through their tireless work to preserve a much-loved natural resource. Without them, the Outer Banks would be listed in the history annals as yet another place where wild mustangs once roamed freely.

In Kitty Hawk stands the Monument to a Century of Flight. The brainchild of another much-loved natural resource — local artist Glenn Eure — the monument recognizes significant accomplishments and milestones in aviation history and honors the soaring spirit of the men and women whose aspirations spoke, and continue to speak, so clearly of human potential. Designed by Glenn Eure, Hanna Jubran and Jodi Hollnagel, and sponsored by Icarus International, the monument consists of 14 pylons surrounding an area paved with inscribed bricks. The site is startlingly moving — the sentiments behind each pylon, brick and paver are nearly palpable. The site is maintained as a public monument, and visitors are not subject to any admission charges. Contributions made through the winged horse auction will go to maintaining the site in perpetuity. We are so fortunate to have this enduring endowment and we’re honored and thrilled to be part of its support network.

Beckoning passersby to Chilli Peppers Restaurant is "Lights, Kam-era, Action!" decorated by Linda Lauby and sponsored by Lory White and friends.

More than 100 horses make up the Winged Horse Extravaganza, and they can be seen from Corolla through Ocracoke Island, on the Currituck mainland, and even in Virginia. Our sponsors are all due our thanks and admiration, for they’ve taken it upon themselves to invest money, time and energy to provide a major source of entertainment for our neighbors and our visitors. While the complete scope of this entire herd of winged creatures is a marvel, many of the individual stories are incredible. Some horses represent the tragic loss of a family member, triumph over a debilitating disease, or are reminders of a beloved pet. Stories of hope and love and peace and joy are behind these creations.

Sponsored by Outer Banks Press for the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is "Buceador" the diving foal, decorated by Phillip Webb.

Whether a winged horse represents the damage incurred during a person’s life, the celebration of life, or a breakthrough with an autistic child, it’s a symbol of hope, of love, of great creative spirit and generosity. We hope you enjoy these works of art as much as we’ve enjoyed bringing them to you.

(Note: all horse designs are licensed by Outer Banks Press. Please look for company endorsement on all official products. Outer Banks Press welcomes license inquiries, and will assist in promoting and selling products created by licensees.)