Introducing, Keepers on Parade statue no. 74, commissioned by Great Plains Ventures (GPV) and created by Paige Peer. The keeper was unveiled on October 1st and sits at the entrance of Aloft Wichita.

Keepers on Parade is an art project to promote Wichita Pride with 10-foot tall, hand painted replicas of Wichita's original Keeper of the Plains statue. Each Keeper is original and painted by a local artist with the approval of the Blackbear Bosin Family Foundation. 

Originally when Susayn Brandes, CEO and Chairman of Great Plains Ventures, learned about the art project happening around Wichita, she knew it would be perfect for Aloft. She says adding a 3rd piece of art "Just fit the vibe of the hotel." Aloft has displayed over 60 pieces of rotating artwork from Envision Arts Gallery inside the hotel, as well as a hand painted mural on the outside. Aloft is full of artwork by local artists. 

At that point, Susayn began looking into the Keepers on Parade's approved artists. While browsing the list, she didn’t recognize anyone. She then reached out to her niece, Paige Peer, for help in choosing an artist. During this conversation, Susayn found the perfect fit. Paige recalls, "I had joked that I would love to be the artist, completely unaware that she would take it to heart." Soon after, the process of getting Paige approved began, starting with sending her portfolio to Scott Elpers. Not long after that, she was coordinating with Dale Seiwert to have the blank statue delivered to her home.

Paige began painting the statue in her garage in early spring, aiming to finish before the summer heat set in. "But, as it turned out, a ten foot statue is actually like really gigantic, so not only did I not have it complete by the time it got hot out, I was now in my garage painting in 95+ degree weather. It was then that the decision to move this giant piece into my living room was made." Paige says. 

Paige wanted to showcase the beautiful nature in Kansas, which is why the piece is covered in native plants and insects. This would give her the opportunity to use her skill to educate about native wildlife, while also honoring her late grandfather, Charlie Peer. "Everywhere in this park there are pieces of him and his legacy. So, in honor of his legacy I had to leave a little of my own in the business park. But this is not to honor Charles Peer- The business man- This is to honor my “Grandpa Chuck,” ... the strict business man who melted at the sight of his grandchildren." Paige says.