Projects of the Neihardt Foundation

Sculpture: John Neihardt and Black Elk, A Vision in Bronze

The Foundation plans to erect a sculpture of John Neihardt and Black Elk together to commemorate their coming together to set down what came to be known as Black Elk Speaks. This larger than life-size bronze sculpture of John Neihardt and Black Elk will reflect the time in 1931 when Neihardt took Black Elk to the top of Harney Peak--"the center of the earth" in Black Elk's vision. Black Elk will be standing offering a prayer, and Neihardt will be seated on a rock listening. Black Elk's experiences and Neihardt's literary skills combined to create Black Elk Speaks that has been translated into twenty languages and has been continuously in print since 1961. The most recent edition, October 2008, is published by SUNY Press.

Now, only a few of the people who visit the Neihardt Center have ever met John Neihardt or Black Elk. So, it is important for visitors to see an image of these two great men, a Lakota Holy Man and Nebraska's Poet Laureate, and to sense the spiritual bond that made them "brothers."

It is time to make this dream of many years a reality. The Foundations' goal is to raise $175,000 for the sculpture, our third major project. The Foundation needs your help in making this dream come true.

How do you value a work of art? Certainly its value goes far beyond its monetary cost. Ruskin wrote: "Great nations write their autobiographies in three manuscripts, the book of their deeds, the book of their words and the book of their art. Not one of these books can be understood unless we read the other two, but of the three, the only trustworthy one is the last."

Far beyond our lifetime, this bronze sculpture will tell of these two men and the lives that took them beyond the realm of most human experience. What can be learned by looking at this work? It is impossible to say, and perhaps even difficult for those who see it to articulate. But it will communicate in a way that nothing else can.

What People Are Saying About the Sculpture Project:

"This sculpture will memorialize the unique spiritual relationship between Black Elk and John Neihardt which has inspired people around the world." Hilda Neihardt, Daughter of John Neihardt

"Our grandfather, Black Elk, would be so happy to have a sculpture commemorating his friendship and collaboration with John Neihardt. We remember what grandfather said when they first met. 'My vision is true and mighty yet. It is for all people, and you were sent to save it.'" Esther Black Elk DeSersa and Olivia Black Elk Pourier

"This sculpture of Neihardt and Black Elk together will vividly remind all generations that the unique and noble qualities of the American character are defined by our racial, ethnic and cultural diversity." Ron Hull

"After working on the west coast, I returned to the land the people I know best. I rediscovered my Cherokee and pioneer roots, and developed a passion for history that nearly equals my passion for creating fine art. The merging of these two passions has inspired me to devote my career to documenting the heritage of the nation through sculpture." Jim Brothers, Sculptor, Lawrence, KS.

The Sculptor

A native of Kansas, with an MFA from Kansas University, Jim Brothers has created sculptures for corporate, institutional and private collections worldwide. A selection of his works include:

• Red Cloud-life-size bust, Nebraska Hall of Fame, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE
• Mark Twain-life-size figure, Hartford Public LIbrary, Hartford, CT
• President Eisenhower-larger than life-size bust, IAEA Headquarters, Vienna, Austria
• Story Time - Joy of Learning-three life-size figures, Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, IA
• The Vision-eight-foot bronze, River Market, Kansas City, MO
• Amelia Earhart-bust, Atchison, KS
• National D-Day Memorial-ten larger than life-size figures, Bedford, VA
• General Dwight Eisenhower-seven-and-a-half foot monument, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.

Want to make a contribution? Click here to download a brochure.