[MSN] Artwork stolen in Green River may be in Utah.

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

Artwork stolen in Green River may be in Utah
LAST UPDATE: 7/6/2006 11:03:40 PM


Wyoming's Green River is not that far from Salt Lake. It's a mere two and a
half hour drive; which is why the Green River Chamber of Commerce thinks a
stolen sculpture may be on its way to the region's biggest city: Salt Lake.

There were two large pieces of art in Green River's Centennial Park when
thieves attacked.. Both had been made by local artists and given as
donations to the city's Chamber of Commerce for a fundraiser. An auction was
scheduled to be held after the public display gave everyone a chance to get
a good look at the sculptures.

Rudy Gunter had created a burnished and polished metal outline of a bucking
horse for his work. The piece was titled, "Open Spaces, Mustang Traces."

But when the former art teacher and member of the Arts Council took his
grandchildren to the park to see his piece on July 3, it was gone.

The thieves had pulled up a stake that was holding the sculpture upright,
and walked off with it. There were signs they had also intended to take
another sculpture. A work depicting a bejeweled horse made by another local
artist had been pulled out of the park ground and was found lying flat on
the grass near its display site.

Gaunter's sculpture was stolen on the night of either July first or second.
It was to be auctioned off on August 25, to raise money for the Chamber of
Commerce building fund. Officials, and the Gaunter's family, say they are
devastated by the theft.

They are asking anyone who sees the stolen sculpture to call the Chamber,
and asking Salt Lake City residents to keep an eye out for a possible
seller. The number to call is (307) 875-5711.

http://www.abc4.com/