Elmer Petersen

Elmer Paul Petersen (September 4, 1928 – August 5, 2020) was an American sculptor who worked in metal. His most prominent artwork is the World's Largest Buffalo in Jamestown, North Dakota. Petersen lived and worked in Galesville, Wisconsin. Much of his art is publicly displayed around La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he led the Downtown La Crosse Sculpture Project Committee.[1] The La Crosse Tribune called Petersen "one of the premier sculptors in the Coulee Region" and "instrumental in getting public sculpture scattered throughout downtown" La Crosse. He has worked significantly with welding, including that of found metal objects, and often sculpted in cast bronze.

This article is about the sculptor from Wisconsin. For the politician from Wisconsin, see Elmer Peterson.

Elmer Petersen
Born(1928-09-04)September 4, 1928
Racine, Wisconsin, United States
DiedAugust 5, 2020(2020-08-05) (aged 91)
La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States
NationalityAmerican
EducationLeo Steppat, Prof. of Sculpture, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Alma materDana College; Blair, Nebraska, B.A., University of Wisconsin–Madison, M.S., M.F.A
Known forsculpture
Notable workWorld's Largest Buffalo, La Crosse Players, Eagle in La Crosse's Riverside Park (La Crosse)
Spouse
Carole Elaine Mortvedt
​
​
(m. 1968; died 2001)​
Electedchairman of the Downtown La Crosse Sculpture Project Committee
Websitesculpture-in-metal.com

While at Dana College, Petersen was drafted in the middle of his education, then returned on the GI Bill to do graduate work in art at the University of Wisconsin. Early in his career, Petersen taught at the University of Jamestown, North Dakota, where he sculpted a large buffalo that is still an important landmark of the city and the namesake of its moniker "Buffalo City".[2] Petersen worked and taught at Texas Lutheran University[3] before returning to Wisconsin in 1978[4] and opening an art studio.

Petersen received thirteen awards out of 23 juried shows. In 2007, he displayed a collection at The Danish Immigrant Museum in Elk Horn, Iowa.[5] Roger D. Roslansky, Chair of Board, HSR Associates of La Crosse, remarked that Petersen was "an invaluable resource and an extremely creative artist," "a sculptor of significant note!"

His death was announced on August 5, 2020, aged 91.[2] Petersen died from Acute Myeloid leukemia and pneumonia[6] at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin.[7]

Works
World's Largest Buffalo in Jamestown, North Dakota
  • World's Largest Buffalo, Jamestown, ND.[8]
  • Martin Luther sculpture at Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, TX.
  • Bicentennial Monument, Jamestown, ND.
  • La Crosse Players, La Crosse, Wisconsin;[9][10] a replica is at the Rose Street city entrance
  • Eagle, Riverside Park, La Crosse, Wisconsin,[11] a large statue of 14-gauge weathering steel depicting a tree trunk with bald eagle atop it, clutching fish in its talons[12]
  • Head of Sculptor
  • Gambrinus, "King of Beer," Heileman brewery, La Crosse, WI.
  • Family, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse, WI.
  • Boy with Butterfly, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center lobby, La Crosse, WI.[13]
  • Master and Disciple, Lutheran Church of the Master, Edina, MN.
  • Eagle Landmark, La Crosse, WI.
  • Eagle and Eternal Flame, Veterans' Memorial Stadium, U. of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
  • The Visionary, Galesville, WI.
  • Gideon Hixon statue[14]
  • George Frost Kennan, Truman Presidential Library and Museum, Independence, MO.
  • D.B. Reinhart, Aquinas H.S,, La Crosse, WI.
  • George Gale, Galesville, WI.
  • Rev. David O. Van Slyke, Galesville Methodist pastor and farmer, depicted with apple and Bible, in a statue on edge of downtown Galesville, WI.[15]
  • Symphonic Joy (2015), stained glass, Viterbo University campus[16][17]
  • George Coleman Poage, first African-American Olympic medalist, Poage Park, La Crosse, WI.

Bibliography
  • Parlin, Geri (September 6, 2008). "Elmer at 80: Hand Petersen the welding torch — there's more art to create". La Crosse Tribune. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  • "Elmer Petersen's Sculptures on Display" (PDF). The Danish Immigrant Museum. Spring 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 29, 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  • "Local roots: artists and entertainers with ties to La Crosse". La Crosse Tribune. February 24, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  • Video with interview at "Buffalo Sculptor Elmer Petersen passes,91". Retrieved August 8, 2020.

References
  1. Kent, Joan (June 30, 2006). "Statue Boy Will Keep Wearing Birthday Suit; The Gift Stirred Discussion Because Of Its Nudity". La Crosse Tribune. La Crosse, Wisconsin. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  2. "Sculptor of World's Largest Buffalo Passes Away". News Dakota. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  3. "Hemisfair Sculpture Show: 'Best Ever This Side of Ocean'". San Antonio Light. April 21, 1968. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  4. "Elmer Petersen, Sculptor of La Crosse". WKBT-DT. April 27, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  5. "Past Exhibitions". Danish American Museum. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  6. Norman, Keith (August 6, 2020). "Petersen, artist of World's Largest Buffalo, dies at 91". Jamestown Sun. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  7. Williams, Brad (August 6, 2020). "Local sculptor Elmer Petersen dies at 91". WIZM 92.3FM 1410AM. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  8. "Jamestown's big buffalo sculpture gets a paint job". Bismarck Tribune. Bismarck, North Dakota. June 19, 2007. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  9. Stephannie Hammes; Leslie F. Crocker (1992). Forms and Spaces: Sculpture in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
  10. "Forms and Spaces: Sculpture in La Crosse, Wisconsin". murphylibrary.uwlax.edu. Archived from the original on October 16, 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  11. "Riverside Park History". City of La Crosse. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  12. Magney, Reid (April 18, 2003). "Rusty eagle needs patchwork". La Crosse Tribune. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  13. Explore La Crosse: La Crosse Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Boy with Butterfly – Sculpture". explorelacrosse.com. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  14. Hyra, Jackie (July 19, 2007). "Local man supervises renovations to landmark: the "World's Largest Buffalo"". La Crosse Tribune. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  15. "Hometown Icon: Galesville Square". La Crosse Tribune. September 18, 2014.
  16. Daily, Erik (July 30, 2015). "'Symphonic Joy' on campus". La Crosse Tribune. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  17. "New sculpture installed on Viterbo's campus". WKBT-DT. June 30, 2015. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
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