New Dogwood Horse to Greet Visitors…

of the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum

America’s Horse, April 17, 2007 – The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum received its newest bronze Monday, April 16, with the unveiling of “The Dogwood Horse.” Donated by the Dogwood Foundation and standing approximately 15.1 hands, the horse is a bronze depiction of the horse painted by Orren Mixer that has been featured in AQHA advertising and promotion since 1968. The bronze sculpture of this famous horse will welcome visitors as they enter the facility when the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum reopens June 9. California sculptor Mehl Lawson created the 3-D version of the Dogwood Horse.

“We are honored to receive such a beautiful and significant piece of work in the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame,” said AQHA Executive Vice President Bill Brewer. “This bronze will welcome visitors and is a great addition to the other beautiful bronzes at the museum. I especially want to thank the Dogwood Foundation for their continued generosity.”

About The Dogwood Foundation

The Dogwood Foundation was established on June 21, 1994, by Dorothy Scott Merrill.  The current trustees of the Foundation are Danielle S. Merrill, Kyle M. Converse, Holly Scott Merrill, Frank G. Merrill and trustee emeritus John H. Martin.

The Dogwood Foundation is being administered exclusively for religious, charitable, educational and scientific purposes.

Dorothy Scott Merrill was born into the Gerber family almost 80 years ago.  During her lifetime, the Gerber Products Company grew to be a nationally recognized company.  In June 1994 Gerber Products Company merged with Sandoz Limited.  Dorothy Scott Merrill then used certain shares of Gerber Products Company stock to fund the Dogwood Foundation.

Dorothy Scott Merrill died in September 2000.  Her four children, Danielle, Kyle, Holly and Frank, continue the work of their mother by granting funds to various organizations to promote charitable or educational projects. One of the projects has been to donate funds to the American Quarter Horse Foundation.

The Artist Mehl Lawson

Mehl Lawson is an artist in two mediums – sculpture and horses. He is an heir to the proud vaquero tradition of Old California: a dedicated disciple of the refined, subtle elegance of the Santa Barbara style that inspired the creative spirits of such men as Ed Borein and Luis Ortega.
There is the same kind of magic in the hands that shape the sculptor’s clay as there is in the hands that hold the reins of a spade-bit horse. Mehl Lawson is accomplished in both venues and brings to each a concentrated focus that produces horseback memories and sculptural images of pure grace and beauty.
Lawson excels at depicting the devotion between man and his horse, and his sculptures capture the spirit of the western buckaroo – the working men of the great California and Nevada ranches. He is happy to combine the world of horses with that of fine art, and it was this skillful combination that got him elected to the Cowboy Artist of America in 1982. He lives in Bonita, California.

The official grand opening of the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum will be June 9. Watch www.aqha.com  for details or visit www.aqhhalloffame.com .

Please e-mail kfondy@aqha.org  for a high resolution image of the “Dogwood Horse.”

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines .