Cowboy Tough at Bank of Commerce

When Carbon County residents go to the Bank of Commerce (BOC) to do business, they will now be greated by a large bronze statue of a cowboy breaking in a horse.

The statue, "Cowboy Tough", was created by Chris Navarro and is a work of art BOC President and CEO Copper France had been looking for a period of time.

When people saw it, he wanted them to think of Carbon County and Wyoming.

BOC Marketing Director Nicole Murry said the bank is strong about helping the Carbon County community where it can and the bronze cowboy is to remind everyone how much the Bank of Commerce cares.

Murray pointed out the employees of the bank contribute money each month to a pot which is given out to different charities throughout the county nominated by BOC employees.

"I was just in Saratoga giving the Platte Valley softball (baseball) their award this month," Murry said. "The kids were super excited and it was great to be a part of their happiness. They were so cute."

The bank not only contributes to charities on a monthly basis, but has created the grand prize for the working horse show at the Carbon County Fair: a saddlw which is a work of art on it's own which an be seen at the bank.

"The workmanship is there in the saddle, the same way the workmanship is there in the bronze statue outside," Murray said.

The new statue in front of the bank entrance isn't the only new addition.

"We did our remodel of the front way and added the flagpole, new steps, new sidewalk and statue," Murry said.

A work of art was always in France's mind to greet customers coming and going.

"The statue was not an afterthought. Copper really has an appreciation for art and he visited a Colorado show with artists from all over," Murray said. "When he saw Navarro's work, he knew this was the artist whose work he wanted."

Navarro is from Casper and is the owner of Navarro Gallery and Sculpture Garden in Sedona, Arizona. Navarro has been sculpting professionally since 1986 and is known for his more than 34 monumental bronze statutes.

His bronzes include rodeo champion Lane Frost at Cheyenne Frontier Days, a life-size T. Rex for the Tate Museum in Casper, a 16 foot tall bronze of the famous bucking horse Steamboat for the University of Wyoming, and "The Messenger", for the Alamo sculpture trail in San Antonio, Texas.

Other monuments include "When Champions Meet", a 15 foot saddle bronc rider placed at the entrance to the Stampede Rodeo Arena in Greeley, Colorado and the "10th Mountain", a 14 foot World War II ski soldier displayed in Aspen, Colorado. The Colorado State Department Of Agriculture commissioned Navarro to create a 15 foot tall monument titled "20 Percent Chance Of Flurries" to honor the farmers and ranchers of Colorado which is placed on the Colorado State University campus.

He was chosen to be the Honorary Artist for the 2015 Buffalo Bill Art Show in Cody, he was the recipient of the 2015 Wyoming "Governor's Art Award '' and was honored as the 2018 Distinguished Alumni for Casper College.

Navarro is also the author of four books.

Navarro, a former bull and bronc rider, still competes in team ropings and can be considered a true cowboy. He attended Casper College on a rodeo scholarship for bull and bronc riding. Following college, he pursued a career in rodeo, hoping to one day be a pro bull rider. His rodeo career was cut short, for the most part, due to injuries.

While working in Casper for an oil inspection company, he saw a bronze sculpture by artist Harry Jackson. Navarro would have liked to have purchased it, but the hefty price tag, $35,000, made it impossible for him. He decided if he couldn't buy it, perhaps he could just make one.

Navarro went and got what he needed for sculpting and it wasn't too long before he became a sculptor of renown in Wyoming. His characterizations of the West appear to have given Navarro a national following.

France got in touch with Navarro and a deal was struck for "Cowboy Tough" after it was approved by the Bank of Commerce board. Last week, the statue was installed in front of the bank. Navarro came to the bank to help get it placed.

The inception of the remodel started last fall and the new look, with the statue, has people stop and take in the bronze.

France feels it is the perfect sculpture to be out in front of the bank.

"We wanted the piece to reflect who we are, the toughness and the grit that comes with being from Wyoming and from Carbon County, while reflecting on the heritage of our state," France said. "We are cowboy tough, just like the title of this piece."

The statue has tremendous detail when looked at closely. It is interesting to note the belt buckle on the cowboy as he is riding the bronc, has the image of a cowboy riding a bronc. The statue should be gazed at for several minutes before walking away to take in the incredible detail.

"Having art in our community is pretty special,' Murray said. "People notice it. The statue symbolizes that we are tough people, whether it was pioneers making Carbon County a place for future generations or residents and businesses that have endured and survived a challenge like Covid. During that time we came together as a bank and then came together for the community to get through those times because as Copper said, Carbon County residents are tough and full of grit."