Artist makes pitch to Tulsa, OKC leaders about statue

<br> <br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ After meeting with leaders of the state's two largest cities, an Edmond artist will deliberate over which community his 17-story statute of an American Indian will tower.

Wednesday, March 17th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ After meeting with leaders of the state's two largest cities, an Edmond artist will deliberate over which community his 17-story statute of an American Indian will tower.

Shan Gray described his work, called ``The American,'' to the city councils of Oklahoma City and Tulsa on Tuesday.

Gray said he and backers of the $26 million project will chose a location next week.

``I need to talk to the investors and make sure we're all on the same page to do what's best for the sculpture,'' Gray said. ``This will be around long after I'm gone. Hopefully, my great-great-great-great grandchildren will get to enjoy it.''

The sculpture will depict an Indian warrior with the wind blowing his hair across his face and an eagle landing on his arm. A four-story limestone-concrete base will bring its total height to 21 stories.

Gray, an Osage Indian, has said it will be the world's largest and tallest freestanding bronze sculpture.

Most of Gray's investors are from Oklahoma City but all have said they will support the project no matter which city is chosen, he said.

``They know that it really is something for the entire state,'' he said.

Oklahoma City officials had questions after meeting with Gray, particularly about how the project will be funded. The statue originally was to have been built at the planned Native American Cultural Center along the North Canadian River but officials were concerned it might overshadow the center.

Mayor Mick Cornett said the Interstate 35-Interstate 40 junction near the river and its traffic are the city's largest untapped resource.

``But you can't help but look at worst-case scenarios. And the worst-case scenario here is the thing not being properly funded, so the city would have to protect itself,'' Cornett said.

Gray said the tab for the sculpture will be picked up by private investors and that the for-profit venture will pay for itself, including an endowment for long-term upkeep.

``I'm not going to do anything without showing them we can't do it with the funds we have,'' he said. ``The beauty of this project is it's a gift to the state.''

Gray, a Bartlesville native, said he believes Tulsa would be a good home for his work.

Among Tulsa's potential sites for the sculpture is one about seven miles northwest of downtown on Osage County's Holmes Peak, which is about 500 feet above the Arkansas River or 1,100 feet above sea level.

Oklahoma City officials have proposed several sites, Gray said. The ones he likes best are within two miles of the Bricktown area.

``In choosing between the two, cities we are looking at completely different settings,'' he said of Tulsa, which has green, rolling hills. ``You have wonderful terrain here. I would prefer the sculpture to have some elevation.''

Councilor Tom Baker said the city's rich Indian heritage makes it the ideal location.

``It seems unquestionable to me that this is the right place for it,'' he said. ``The council will do whatever it can to make this happen.''

Once the city is chosen, a specific site will be selected by April 1, with the goal of having the statue complete for the state's centennial celebration in 2007.