DENVER — Four days after Colorado’s most famous Arabian horse races around the field of Broncos Stadium at Mile High to mark the start of the 2018 season, its namesake work of art will begin its tour of Denver at a kickoff event at the Four Seasons Hotel on Sept. 13. The “Thunder for Humanity” road show will culminate in its auctioning off to benefit the $100 million Honoring the Legacy campaign to support the transformation of Denver’s aging National Western Complex into the new National Western Center.
The work of art, “Thunder for Humanity” is a life-size fiberglass Arabian horse created for the Arabian Horses for Humanity project, which was initiated by the Arabian Horse Association. It features equine versions of the famous CowParade cows. Denver philanthropists and Honoring the Legacy Campaign committee members Sharon Magness Blake and Ernie Blake commissioned Denver artist and sixth-generation Coloradan Duke Beardsley to use the fiberglass Thunder as a canvas for his artistic vision. “Thunder for Humanity” was the stunning result.
In addition to sharing the beauty of Arabian horses and the visions of diverse artists, the Arabian Horses for Humanity project is about supporting communities through the donation of statues to charitable organizations for auctioning. The Blakes have chosen the National Western’s capital campaign to benefit from the eventual sale of “Thunder for Humanity.”
The Blakes, who also own the real Thunder (the snow-white Arabian is the official Denver Broncos mascot), are fixtures in the Arabian horse community.
“We’re thrilled to be able to share our passion for Arabian horses in a way that benefits another passion of ours – the National Western,” Sharon Magness Blake said. “We think it’s a great way to raise awareness of the incredible plans for the new National Western Center while raising money to help make it happen.”
Pete Coors, who chairs the National Western capital campaign, added that “Thunder for Humanity” is a great way to share the new vision for National Western, which promises a unique combination of urban revitalization, economic development, tourism, education, research and Western art and culture.
“‘Thunder for Humanity’ is a thoughtful, creative and fun way to get the word out about the new National Western Center,” Coors said. “This project will benefit the entire region, providing a new home for the incomparable National Western Stock Show, hosting more than 300 other events, attracting 2.3 million guests, and driving economic impact of almost one quarter of a billion dollars a year.”
“Thunder for Humanity” will kickoff at an event with Coors, the Blakes, and Four Seasons Hotel Denver General Manager Thierry Kennel hosting. It will be on display at the Four Seasons Hotel Denver from September 4th through the 18th. The artwork will then make the rounds about Denver-area businesses and be auctioned at a later date.
About the Honoring the Legacy campaign for the new National Western Center
The $100 million Honoring the Legacy campaign will support a dozen new buildings and outdoor spaces vital to the transformation of Denver’s aging National Western Complex into the new National Western Center. The campaign will provide critical funding for the creation of a year-round destination that will not only serve as a new home for the incomparable National Western Stock Show, but also will expand and enhance this regional asset into a world-class hub for agriculture, education and innovation.
What: The “Thunder for Humanity” kickoff for the National Western Capital Campaign
Where: Four Seasons Hotel Denver, 1111 14th St.
When: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018
— National Western Center
For more news from Colorado, click here.