Organization hopes Joe Foss will be first of many SD veterans featured along Fall River
HOT SPRINGS – While there has been talk of creating a public display of art in downtown Hot Springs for many years, that concept took a huge leap forward at last week’s Hot Springs City Council meeting when a resolution to support a proposed sculpture installation by Chautauqua Craftsmen & Artisans of the Black Hills (CCABH) was unanimously approved on city property located along Fall River, near the Minnekahta Avenue Bridge and leading up to the State Veterans Home.
The artwork will be a life-size bronze sculpture by local artist Matt Lanz depicting South Dakota native and former Governor Joe Foss, who was the U.S. Marine Corps’ leading fighter pilot ace during WWII, shooting down 26 Japanese planes in 44 days. For his efforts during the war, he was presented the Medal of Honor by President Franklin D. Roosevelt at ceremonies in the White House in May 1943.
Outside of his military service, which also included being promoted to the rank of brigadier general of the South Dakota Air National Guard, Foss served two terms as the South Dakota Governor from 1955 to 1959, and was also president of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) and the first commissioner of the American Football League.
Deb Ahrens, who attended the city council meeting on behalf of CCABH, spoke to the Fall River County Herald-Star later in the week about the upcoming art installation and the need to raise about $108,000 to make it a reality. Once this sculpture is put into place – likely in late 2026 or early 2027 after the Minnekahta Bridge is replaced – it will hopefully spark an ongoing effort to install a series of future sculptures featuring South Dakota military veterans being placed either on the Freedom Trail or the suspended sidewalk, Ahrens said.
“We talked about having visual art downtown,” stated Ahrens, in regards to how the idea first came about. “Custer has buffalo, Rapid City has the presidents. The Fall River County Herald-Star ran an article awhile back about the Sentinels of the Black Hills sculptures by Matthew Lanz. Something like that would look great in our newly remodeled downtown. Matt had approached CCABH in the past, asking for us to sponsor him so that he could continue his sculpting. I don’t believe we were in a position to do that at the time, but felt that we were capable of doing it now. I called Matt to discuss the idea with him. He said that he had a maquette in clay of Joe Foss completed. He invited us to his studio to look at it. It was wonderful.”
Ahrens then described Lanz’s sculpture, which is of the post-war Foss amid his governorship of South Dakota, wearing his flight jacket with his squadron’s insignia, trademark cigar and his Bible in the crutch of his forearm, wearing the Medal of Honor.
“Joe was born and raised in South Dakota, was a WWII fighter pilot ace in the Pacific theater and the Governor of South Dakota. Since we are a veteran town, that was a fine idea,” added Ahrens. “The board approved it as well.”
With the full support of the City of Hot Springs with the passage of a resolution that designates a specific site at the intersection of Hwy. 385 and Minnekahta Avenue, along with the backing of a nonprofit like CCABH, both Lanz and Ahrens are confident that the town’s first public bronze sculpture will become a reality.
The next step is fundraising. Ahrens said the foundry has raised it’s price since it was first estimated. The maquette, which is a 29-inch miniature version of the full-sized bronze sculpture, will cost $14,000 to produce and is initially planned to be on display for fundraising purposes at the CCABH retail location at 501 N. River Street. The life size monument is 6-foot, 7-inches tall and will cost $94,160 to produce.
“The maquette will be sold to raise funds for the next bronze,” Ahrens said. “Our hope is that the community will embrace our efforts and help fund it. We are a 501(c)3, so all donations are tax deductible.” Donations can be sent to Chautauqua Craftsmen & Artisans of the Black Hills, 501 N River Street, Hot Springs.
“Our mission is to promote the arts and provide a venue for local/regional artisans and craftsmen to exhibit and market their work as well as provide opportunities for education and participation in arts and crafts activities and events,” added Ahrens, in regards to CCABH’s role in the community.
For more information or to donate, go to www.chautauquablackhills.org/donateabove or call 605-745-4684.