Painting of Will Rogers and Wiley Post Dedicated

A painting depicting two of Oklahoma’s most famous sons, Will Rogers and Wiley Post, has been dedicated at the State Capitol. State Senator Charles Ford, President of the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund Inc., unveiled the artwork during a ceremony in the State Senate Chamber on Tuesday morning.

The painting, “The Last Farewell of Wiley Post and Will Rogers,” was inspired by one of the last photos of Rogers and Post which was taken shortly before their fatal plane crash on August 15, 1935, in Point Barrow, Alaska. The piece was created by Norman, Okla., artist Mike Wimmer, and is a gift from the Paul and Helen Sisk Charitable Trust.

“Will Rogers and Wiley Post were two of this nation’s most important figures in the early days of aviation. Many Oklahomans may not know it, but Post was as famous as Charles Lindbergh in his day, setting records for round the world flight and inventing the first high-pressure flight suit,” said Senator Ford.

“Though Will Rogers is probably best known by many as a humorist and star of radio and films, he also played a key role in the early days of aviation as an enthusiast and visionary,” noted Ford.

To view “The Last Farewell of Wiley Post and Will Rogers,” and other pieces of original art sponsored by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc., go to www.oksenate.gov and select “Senate Artwork.”