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The Winged Horse Extravaganza
The Winged Horse Extravaganza is a public art installation brought to
the community by CitiArtFX, a not-for-profit division of Outer Banks Press, in
celebration of the 2003 Centennial of Flight. From May 2002 through October
2004, 99 life-sized fiberglass horses with aluminum aircraft wings were
decorated and displayed throughout the Outer Banks. Sponsors, either businesses
or individual families, purchased a horse, commissioned an artist to decorate
it and publicly displayed it for everyone to enjoy. Many of the horses were
slated to be auctioned off in 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.
The "Mane Event," the winged horse charitable auction, was held October 10th at Sea Scape Golf Course in Kitty Hawk. [»] Thirty-four members of the herd went on the block, along with original artwork, photographs, and related goods and services generously donated by some of our horse sponsors. The two primary
beneficiaries of the auction were the
[»] Corolla Wild Horse
Fund and the
[»] Monument
to a Century of Flight. Many other local charities also shared in the
proceeds of the auction.
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 Why Winged
Horses?
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. We'd
sincerely like to thank all of our sponsors, artists and friends who have made
this exhibit such an overwhelming success. And to all those who visit or live
here, we hope you've enjoyed viewing these one-of-a-kind works of art as much
as we've enjoyed bringing them to you.
above: CATCHTHESPIRIT
artist: Karen Aniero /
sponsored by Outer Banks Press |
