By DEBORAH BEHRENDS
Illinois Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. — Inside a rotating glass case, a sweet, creamy version of Abe Lincoln, reading a book alongside a Jersey cow, drew a great deal of attention at the recent Illinois State Fair. A tradition in the Dairy Building, sculptors have carved dairy cows since 1922.
The sculptor of this year’s installment was Sharon BuMann of New York.

Before opening day of the fair on Aug. 14, BuMann spent more than 80 hours over nine days inside the cooler, kept at a temperature of 34-36 degrees Fahrenheit while she worked. She left the cooler about every two hours to warm up.

The butter is smeared on to a metal armature and then sculpted. A professional artist, BuMann said Illinois is the only state that requires she sculpt a cow. This was her sixth year providing her services to the Midwest Dairy Assoc.

Prior to her association with the fair, a cow had been sculpted for more than 30 years by artist Norma Lyons, said Marla Behrends (no relation to this correspondent), industry relations manager for the Midwest Dairy Assoc.

“Sharon had done sculptures for several other state fairs. The association called on her when health problems prevented Norma from continuing,” Behrends said.

Historical inspiration

BuMann said she used a life mask of Lincoln for the sculpture of his face, and said he is depicted at about 29 years of age. “I suspect he’s supposed to be milking the cow and splitting wood, but has decided to read instead,” she said.

Along with Lincoln and the cow, visitors were challenge to find three butterflies, an odd leg on the school, a mouse, the Liberty Bell (which was hanging from the cow’s neck), a kitten, a snake, large and small piles of rocks and three wood splitting tools: a wedge, mallet and axe.

“I love what I do. Sculpting in butter gives me a chance to expose the public to what I call fine art,” BuMann said. “Each year, I try to incorporate the fair’s theme, and this year, ‘All-American,’ is no exception.”

Each year, the theme remains a tightly-kept secret until its unveiling.

BuMann, who began sculpting the famous cow in 2004, said she loves returning each year because it’s one of the most beautiful fairgrounds she visits.

“The butter cow always captivates fair-goers,” Behrends said.
“We want to make this building, including the butter cow, showcase for all our Illinois dairy farmers. They work hard all year long to produce a wholesome, nutritious product, and it’s about educating people on what these farmers do.”

“I love butter,” BuMann said. “I bake with it and cook with it, but, after this, I don’t eat butter until January,” she added with a laugh.