Call Description

Iron Riders Memorial Sculpture Commission

Sheridan Public Arts Committee | Sheridan, Wyoming

The Sheridan Public Arts Committee (SPAC) invites qualified artists to submit proposals to create a permanent public sculpture honoring and memorializing the Buffalo Soldiers of the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps, also known as the Iron Riders. This work will serve as a lasting tribute to their courage, sacrifice, and enduring historical legacy.

This commission seeks an artist who will create a sculpture grounded primarily in realism, offering a respectful and historically informed representation that honors the lived experience, strength, and dignity of the Iron Riders.

PROJECT INTENT

This memorial will stand as both tribute and recognition — acknowledging the contributions of African American soldiers while creating space for continued dialogue, remembrance, and appreciation.

IRON RIDERS HISTORY

The Iron Riders were members of the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Regiment Bicycle Corps, an all-Black unit of Buffalo Soldiers who undertook a remarkable military experiment in 1897 to test whether bicycles could replace horses for army transportation. Riding heavy iron-framed bicycles, they completed a grueling 1,900-mile journey from Fort Missoula, Montana, to St. Louis, Missouri, traveling through what is now Sheridan County and earning their nickname from both their machines and their extraordinary endurance.

"The journey through northeastern Wyoming and southwestern South Dakota was very dreary — the landscape was a monotonous series of hills, with now and then an alkali flat, while the water was abominable. Yet the dreariness of the country possessed a weird kind of fascination.”

Lieutenant James Moss, leader of the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps, wrote this entry in his journal on June 28th, 1897. He and twenty handpicked Buffalo Soldiers from Fort Missoula had been pedaling and pushing their experimental 60-pound iron-framed bicycles, following the path of the railroad, for two weeks. They had crossed the Continental Divide, enduring near constant rain, snow, hail, and mud. They still had over one thousand miles to go.

The story of the Iron Riders would have been lost to history if not for the writings of Lieutenant Moss and reporter Eddie Boos, both white men. The experiences and thoughts of the Buffalo Soldiers were not recorded, and they received no accolades. Recent research brought their accomplishments to light just in time to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the ride in 2022. Interest in this unique adventure has only grown more widespread in the years since.

Application Requirements

ARTISTIC APPROACH

The task force seeks proposals that demonstrate:

• A majority realism approach in representation
• Strong figurative or narrative presence
• Historical sensitivity and accuracy
  Emotional depth and dignity in portrayal
• Durability and suitability for long-term outdoor public installation

A life-size or near-life-size scale is anticipated (final specifications to be confirmed).

ARTIST SUBMISSIONS PROCESS

• Artists should submit 5-10 images of their work
• The committee will select the top 3 artists

PROJECT SCOPE

The selected artist will:

• Develop a conceptual design and rendering
• Collaborate with SPAC and project stakeholders
• Fabricate and prepare the sculpture for installation
• Provide documentation and installation specifications
• Participate in community engagement or interpretive dialogue as appropriate

Eligibility Criteria

ARTIST ELIGIBILITY

This call is open to:

• African American artists, OR
• Artists who demonstrate a profound personal, historical, cultural, or scholarly connection to the Iron Riders or their legacy

Artists must demonstrate experience with public art, sculpture, or large-scale commissioned work.