Ritchie Corporation is sponsoring a plane near and dear to company President Hale Ritchie’s heart. Mr. Ritchie’s family has owned a summer home in Minnesota since the early 1930s. The common loon is often spotted near the Ritchie’s summer home. “American Air Loons” is a common loon breaking free from the confines of a plane. This sculpture, created by husband and wife team Kristy and Fred Bruns and friend Sharon Revell, is also a technical marvel with a fun surprise. Push a button and watch navigational lights come on and hear the plaintive call of the loon. This plane is located at the Hyatt Hotel.

Mid-Continent Airport selected an artist that is 11-years old. Young Leo Kust had his design “Taxi” chosen Airport Director Bailis Bell because he wanted to give a young artist the opportunity to complete a sculpture. Leo’s father, Randy Kust is also completing a design titled “A Lure of Wichita” for Law/Kingdon. They are the only father/son artists in the show.

One artist said completing one of these sculptures was a like having a baby but for artist Geoffrey Kisch, that is literally the case. Geoff’s wife was due with their third child on April 1, the date for Geoff’s sculpture to be completed. Talk about cutting things close. (No pun intended.) Geoffrey’s sculpture titled “Toolin’ Around” sponsored by Key Construction Inc. features flying saw blades and other tools of construction.

Artist Eugene Holdsworth created a Dala horse sculpture for a similar project in his hometown of Linsborg. For the Plane Crazy project, Holdsworth has designed a biplane with piano motif. The sculpture, “Music Takes Flight,” is sponsored by Dick Devore and will be displayed at the North Branch YMCA.

The Wide Bodies, a group of five women and one man who are both artists and skeet-shooters, has designed a plane called “At Your Service.” Sponsored by the Hilton Wichita Airport, the sculpture features a flying bellman. The work is truly a team effort: Lou Myers carved the bellman’s face; Cecile Kellenbarger designed the plane; and Carol Ebel, Joan Fox, Jill White, and Karen Wright sanded, painted, and finished the sculpture.

Two car dealerships are sponsoring two very different plane sculptures with automotive themes. Artist Greg Johnson has designed “Lightning and Thunderbird” for Rusty Eck Ford. Dan Welty has designed “Mustang Pilots License” for Mel Hambelton Ford. Each sculpture incorporates actual Ford car parts.