Western Artist to Sculpt Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductee

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - Falling on the heels of this year’s cattle drive and Marysville Stampede, there is no better time than now to announce the official kickoff of the Cotton Rosser Bronze Statue project. Cotton is legendary in the professional rodeo world and was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1995. He is equally legendary here in his hometown, as an entrepreneur and owner of Flying U Rodeo, one of the most successful stock contracting firms in professional rodeo, as well as Cotton’s Cowboy Corral western wear store in Marysville.

The time is long overdue to commemorate this hometown hero in a big way. The Cotton Rosser Bronze Statue Project was formed this year to do just that. The plan is to create a one and a quarter times life size bronze statue of Cotton on horseback doffing his hat to an admiring crowd as he enters the rodeo ring. That is about seven tons of patined bronze sitting atop a concrete and brick base. The statue will be placed in Plaza Park on First Street in Marysville just to the right of the Silver Dollar Saloon and Bok Kai Temple where Cotton can look over the cattle drive each year in perpetuity.

The public will have the chance to learn more about the project and meet Jeff Wolf, the artist chosen to create the sculpture, at a free “Meet the Artist” event being held on October 23^rd from 4 -6pm in the Gallery at Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture, 624 E Street in Marysville. Jeff was chosen from a field of several very qualified western artists who have created large scale horse and rider monuments in bronze. Interested individuals are encouraged to attend to see examples of Jeff’s work and learn how they can support the project at various monetary levels. Plenty of free parking is available in the nearby bank parking lots and on the side streets. Refreshments will be served.

Plans for this project have been in the works for years and now it’s all coming together,” said David Read, Committee Chair and Executive Director of YSAC. “The artist we have chosen started as a rodeo competitor in high school and had a ten-year pro career before taking up art full time. He has known Cotton for decades and had his first and last pro rodeo bull rides on Flying U bulls,” Read added.

During the gallery event, Jeff will have on display other samples of his work. The grand finale of the evening will be the unveiling of the maquette or model of the sculpture of Cotton on horseback. Do not miss this very special opportunity to meet a nationally known artist working at the top of his game to create the first large scale monument in Yuba-Sutter in honor of a very special member of our community. Donations of all sizes will be accepted by. Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture, a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, is the fiscal sponsor for the project and is accepting donations in any amount. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted.

Yuba Sutter Arts is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide arts programming, education, advocacy, assistance and service to artists, organizations and residents of Yuba and Sutter Counties. The local affiliate for Yuba and Sutter of the California Arts Council, its programs include Arts in Education, Veterans Initiatives in the Arts, Arts in Corrections, Very Special Arts Festival, Harvest the Arts, Cover It! Utility Box Murals and many more.