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For a larger view of the Bronco Brand Birch, click here.
"I think [the Bronco Brand Birch] is absolutely beautiful, and the best part is, it didn't cost the city anything, not even a committee meeting. It's our first piece of public art."
-- Betty Lynch, City Council Member, Avondale, Arizona
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BRONCO BRAND BIRCH
Rancho Santa Fe Elementary School
Avondale, Arizona
Steel
84" x 42" x 42"
175 lbs.
2007
Each year, Rancho Santa Fe Elementary School's Cultural Arts Chair, Lesa Schuur, conceives and shepherds an art project that results as a collaboration of the students and an artist-in-residence.
The project for 2007 called for each of the school's 750 students to learn about the tradition of cattle brands, then design their own. Each class then chose one brand to represent it, and Kevin was asked to recreate those selected designs in metal to be hung from a metal tree.
Kevin also did a presentation for the students, sharing the history and use of the forge, which was one of the tools he used to create the brands. The students also got to see the forge, coal, tools and safety equipment up close.
Today, the piece graces Karen's Garden, a courtyard in the front of the school, where students can return for years to come, showing their families and friends how they contributed to their school.
Being a part of this project was truly special for Kevin.
To learn more about this project, visit the special page Kevin put online for the students as he worked on the piece. To see photos of the dedication ceremony, click here.
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