Art Collection at Spirit Park
Art is the lifeblood of National Harbor and Spirit Park is no exception. An unforgettable series of one-of-a-kind installations line the property, meant to inspire visitors with historical significance and patriotic aesthetics.
Created by artist John Lopez, this hybrid metal art piece consists of a fusion of scrap iron and cast bronze. Look closely and you'll see countless American-themed details on the bison including a bald eagle and the stars and stripes of our Nation's flag.
The sculptures also feature personal tools from the late Milt Peterson, Founder of Peterson Companies, Developer of National Harbor.
The bison are named after the symbolic colors of the American flag.
The bull is named Valor which represents the red color in the American Flag. Bull’s blue eyebrow is made out of a torque converter. Lopez always uses these donut shaped pieces for the large mussel above the bison’s eye. Bull’s eye is made out of a painted ball hitch and his hip is made from, a plow disc, commonly used to plow ground before planting.
A red tractor seat was used to form the backend of the bison. The crown-like piece around the neck is at stripper header, used for combining wheat. Lopez uses these often to add some shine to his sculptures.The horns and hooves of all the bison of cast bronze sculptures.
Scattered throughout the bull, you’ll find personal tools from the late Milt Peterson, Founder of Peterson Companies, Developer of National Harbor.
Lopez used tractor chain to create the woolly-like appearance around the bull’s head and neck. The chain give the piece movement and texture.
The bull’s back features an eagle flying in front of an outline of the United States. The outline is surrounded by stars and stripes representing the American Flag.
Lopez begins all of his pieces by sculpting a miniature of the final product. That bronze sculpture is featured on the bull’s shoulder.
The cow is named Vigilance which represents the blue color featured on the American Flag. His head head is much smaller and delicate that the bull’s.
Lopez used different chains and metal fragments around her face to give a more delicate, wispy feel.
Several personal tools and horseshoes from the late Milt Peterson, Founder of Peterson Companies, Developer of National Harbor can be found throughout the cow sculpture. The horns, hooves and nose were all cast in bronze and an ornate piece from a wood burning Sheraton Stove can be found on the cow’s back.
The calf is named Innocence which represents the white color featured on the American Flag. The back of the calf is made out of a child’s Roadmaster tricycle alongside a large heavy duty tractor spring. A chrome hubcap makes up the calf’s belly.
