CODAworx member Blessing Hancock was selected to create a monumental public art installation titled "Family Circle" for the new Highmark Stadium. This centerpiece features three massive stainless-steel bison sculptures—a bull, a cow, and a calf—designed to greet fans at the stadium's "ceremonial front door".
The installation represents the strength of the Buffalo community and the intergenerational spirit of Bills Mafia: the Bull stands 27 feet tall and 29 feet long, weighing roughly 23,000 pounds; the Cow measures 22 feet tall and 23 feet long, while the Calf represents the future of the fanbase at 12 feet tall and 13 feet long.
Unlike traditional bronze statues, Hancock’s "progressive" design incorporates high-tech sensory elements to make the bison feel alive. A CO2 system allows the bull and cow to emit visible steam from their nostrils, mimicking breath in a cold Western New York winter. Five programmable lighting systems illuminate the eyes, nostrils, and body, allowing the sculptures to change color or "pulse" during night games. Built with a heavy-duty steel substructure and a stainless-steel outer skin that features abstract patterns. The statues are the anchor of Family Circle Plaza, a year-round gathering space located outside the secure entrance of the new $2.2 billion stadium.
The plaza is designed to be accessible to the community even on non-game days. To protect the art while remaining approachable, the statues sit on raised plinths surrounded by a ring of rocks and an "inverted stadium architecture" fence. The pieces are currently being hand-crafted in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and are scheduled for installation in June 2026.
In collaboration with the Bills design team, Hancock has brought together a team of professionals including CODAworx members ART Research Enterprises for fabrication and engineering firm Rbhu Engineering. Check out the video below to learn more about the sculptures:
