The rustic beauty of Rachel Wilson's hedge horse sculptures is unique and captivating.
Towering 100 feet above the famed Branson Strip it’s hard to miss Branson’s Titanic Museum Attraction (Titanic) as she seems ready to sail onto the strip. Tammy Johnson, Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center points out that since July 1st it has also been hard not to notice what appears to be a herd of horses grazing and frolicking on a grassy knoll almost under the bow of the great ship.
Information received from the Titanic indicates that the “herd” is composed of extraordinary horse sculptures by Missouri artist Rachel Wilson and are all sculpted from hedge-wood sticks found on the farm she owns with her husband Kyle in Availla, Missouri. John Joslyn, owner of the Titanic said, “I think our July visitors, especially the kids, will be surprised and startled by the realism and motion that Rachel has captured in her imaginative, hedge-horse sculptures. Each ‘horse’ has a name and story to tell, from the large plow horse to the smallest of colts.”
In describing how she creates her sculptures Wilson indicates that it involves the whole family. “Hedges or Osage orange trees were planted in rows and used for fences by early-day farmers,” she explains. “We make gathering the fallen hedge branches a family affair. My husband drives the truck and our four kids and I ‘pickup sticks.’ Back in my studio, I wait for the pieces to ‘speak’ to me before I begin to give them the form and personality they dictate.”
As unlikely a scenerio as one could ever encounter, the Titanic and horses appearing to meet on a grassy knoll.
The result is amazing and gives those visiting the Titanic an interesting opportunity to see something that is truly unique and beautiful. It is not just the artistic rustic beauty of each of Wilson’s individual horses but the unique manner in which they are displayed, “running free” on the grassy knoll with the Titanic and the Branson Strip in the background. What a chance for one of the most unusual Kodak Moments of all time!
What do the “horses” have in common with the Titanic? They are both unique and demonstrate the originality and commitment of their creators as they give each Branson visitor an opportunity to make them a special part of their total Branson experience. Passengers on the Titanic will get to share the same experience that over 2.2 million Branson visitors have had as they take a self guided tour through the ship’s 20 galleries displaying more than 400 priceless artifacts, walk the full sized Grand Staircase and participate in many fun interactive activities.
Well perhaps not exactly the “same experience.” The exhibits are constantly being changed so that there is always something new for Titanic visitors to see and experience. In addition, they will not only get to see Wilson’s beautiful sculptures, but see them displayed in an exciting, natural and unique environment.
From an artistic perspective it should be pointed out that there were two sculptors on board for that fateful first and last voyage of the Titanic, “Paul Romaine Chevre and Francis Millet. Chevre, a French sculptor, was on his way to Ottawa, Canada, for the unveiling of one of his statues. Millet, an American painter, sculptor, poet and journalist, was returning home from vacationing in Europe.” One of them survived the disaster the other did not.
For additional information or tickets for Branson’s Titanic Museum Attraction or any of Branson’s other shows, attractions and activities or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center (BTC) one of Branson’s largest and most trusted vacation planning services. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.