The Sedona
Main Street Program nominates ‘Red Rocks and the Cowboy Artist’
sculpture by Clyde “Ross” Morgan’s for Best Public Improvement.
The ‘Red
Rocks and the Cowboy Artist’ sculpture is the centerpiece of the
pedestrian plaza at the Award winning mid-block crosswalk. The crosswalk
was created to provide an attractive but safe pedestrian node along our
busy highway, large enough to draw in the public. The pedestrian node
was designed to include sculpture, and is now a reality with ‘Red Rocks
and the Cowboy Artist’.
The City
of
Sedona Arts
and Culture Commission and the Arts in Public Places commissioned a
competition for Public Art that had a theme to preserve and respect the
rich history of the Sedona area. A selection committee from the Heard
Museum, Desert Caballeros Western Museum, Phippen Museum, Scottsdale
Museum of Contemporary Art, and Phoenix Public Art Program chose three
sculptures for the final stage of competition which was the Sedona’s
community vote. The residents of Sedona voted, and had their voices
heard. ‘Red Rocks and the Cowboy Artist’ sculpture by Clyde “Ross”
Morgan, was picked by our community, and commissioned by the City of
Sedona
as the first ever sculpture to remain in the heart of the Sedona Main
Street Program District.
This full
sized bronze sculpture depicts Sedona’s cowboy artist Joe Beeler, one of
the Cowboy Artists of America founders. Joe has his eyes fixed upon
Sedona’s red rock formations, which are the oldest and most inspiring
features of Sedona. The young aspiring artist beside Joe is preparing to
photograph this monument, while capturing her glimpse of what is seen by
artist Joe.
The Sedona
resident’s vote for ‘Red Rocks and the Cowboy Artist’ gave the community
a vested interest in this primarily visitor-oriented destination.
Visitors are provided a historic window into our past. ‘Red Rocks and
the Cowboy Artist’ is a photographic background for thousands, who take
a piece of Sedona’s history with them forever, preserving our past for
future generations to come.
Photos included with Nomination
