Taft Celebrates 100 Years With Oilworkers Monument
October 15, 2010
It’s no secret that black gold runs deep in the blood of the city of Taft. And if oil is its blood, then the oil worker is its heart, now enshrined for all to see.
Oil Monument: “You’ll just be astounded”
October 14, 2010
An effort that began more than four years ago to salute oil workers past and present has mushroomed into a stunning tribute that none of the organizers ever envisioned.
The Oilworkers Monument
October 2010
Imagine a town straight out of a John Wayne movie, bustling with men in felt hats, plaid shirts, and denim shirts and denim pants hurrying down the main street for a cold drink and friendly companionship after working 16 hour shifts in the grueling heat and merciless landscape.
Taft Oilworker Monument
2010
A Vision Becomes Reality. The Taft Oilworker Monument Committee says thank you to everyone from our Black Gold Sponsors to those who bought a brick or contributed to building this living memorial. The spirit that built the oil industry still lives on.
First Stage of Taft’s Oilworker Monument Takes Shape
August 18, 2010
It’s taken more than four years, but the first stage of the Taft Oil Worker Monument is being assembled. Visitors can catch a peek of the monument base and oil derrick during a ceremony to thank donors scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at the site and the 10 a.m. Saturday grand opening of the Oildorado Store. The monument will be dedicated to oil workers Oct. 15, which kicks off Oildorado, the city’s 10-day, 100th anniversary party.
Local Artist Commissioned for New Police Sculpture in Aberdeen
August 11, 2010
The police department in Aberdeen have commissioned local artist, Ben Victor, to sculpt a monument in front of the new station. He sculpted the monument in front of the fire station two years ago.
Taft Has Been Gushing Oil for One Hundred Years
Fall 2010
October 15 may be the second most important day in Taft history – the first was when oil was discovered there. Now, during the 100th anniversary of Taft, the largest bronze sculpture in California (the second largest in the western US) will be unveiled on October 15.
Midway Driller
February 26, 2010
Sculptor Benjamin Victor with the two larger-than-life clay models he is completing to be cast in bronze for the Taft Oilworker Monument.
Weekend Festivities Outlined for Saturday
February 23, 2010
With the announced retirement of Northern State University men’s basketball coach Don Meyer, NSU athletic officials have announced plans for Saturday night’s men’s and women’s basketball games. The Wolves take on Southwest Minnesota State in a pair of key Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference match-ups. The women will tip off at 6 p.m. with the men to follow.
Eight Statues in Bronze
December 8, 2009
Eight bronze statues created by Aberdeen artist Ben Victor are on display until Nov. 16 at the Ward Plaza Art Gallery. The Ward Plaza gallery is on the first floor of the Ward Hotel, 104 S. Main St.
Always on Duty
October 16, 2009
Some of the hundred-plus area residents on hand for Thursday’s unveiling get a closer look at the Aberdeen Monument to Firefighters at Fire Station No. 1 in downtown Aberdeen.
Bravery and Courage
October 15, 2009
Local artist Ben Victor calls one of his latest projects a labor of love. The firefighter monument, which will be unveiled today at a f:15 p.m. dedication at Fire Station No. 2, not only took months to finish, but it’s something Victor, of Aberdeen, had a part in from day one.
Model of Oil Worker Monument on Display
July 8, 2009
A model of the Taft Oilworker Monument is on display at the Kern County Administrative Building through the end of the month. The model, and the actual monument, was designed by Taft native Benjamin Victor, who competed against two other sculptors to get the job. Read full story.
Sculptures of a Young Artist
June 18, 2009
Tove Hoff Bormes said she was moved to tears as she recently helped unpack 10 pieces by Aberdeen Sculptor Benjamin Victor. “We are really excited to see him get some exposure here in Sioux Falls,” said Bormes, co-owner of Rug & Relic, the 8th and Railroad Center shop showing Victor’s work starting Friday.
New Statue at Boise Airport
May 25, 2009
Artist Benjamin Victor designed the statue to appear as if the soldier were walking out on the airfield. All the clothing and gear are authentic. They were modeled from a local World War II vet’s actual gear. The art work was sculpted in clay at the Warhawk Air Museum last November and dedicated Monday. Read full story.
Taft Project Will Honor 100 Years of Oil Workers
March 28, 2009
A groundbreaking ceremony Friday in Taft attracted a large crowd, including several local dignitaries, to the site of a proposed oil worker monument intended to commemorate the men and women who helped turn the town into a center of oil production.