It was a cool, bright fall morning Thursday as representatives from the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and Barton Community College, and others, gathered in the plaza outside BCC’s Shafer Gallery to officially dedicate a new statue installation – “Sabretooth” by local sculptor and grassroots artist Bob Mix.

The celebration was in conjunction with a Chamber coffee and ribbon cutting. There were brief comments by gallery Director David Barnes, light refreshments and the gallery was open for attendees to view the Friends and Acquaintances Community Art Show exhibition.

“We are very excited to have this out there,” Barnes said. The massive piece made of welded steel and found materials stands in a prominent spot watching over the BCC Fine Arts Building where the gallery is located.

“A couple of years ago, Robert Feldt donated the sculpture to the college,” he said. Feldt, an attorney and longtime contributor to the Barton County Arts Council, is a former BCC trustee. 

“It had been in our gallery for a long time,” but, due to its size and weight, it was challenging to keep in on display indoors,” Barnes said. “We wanted to find a place to put it.” 

They settled on the plaza site. The area is landscaped and lit for nighttime viewing, giving it a “sculpture garden feel,” he said.

“It was a great gift,” he said.

As for the work, Barnes said Mix “did his homework.” The steel fossil is accurate enough that it almost fooled a visitor from the Sternberg Museum on Natural History in Hays.

Mix has become a celebrated artist, with his work featured in several locations around town, including Brit Spaugh Zoo. He has also displayed pieces at the Grassroots Arts Center in Lucas.

“Sabretooth” is a great example of his unique style, Barnes said.