The Lubbock Arts Alliance is proud to announce the completion of the “Friendly Cowboy Western String Band” public art series with the recent installation of two new large-scale pieces.
The “Amarillo Kid,” the yellow fiddle player and “Prairie Rose,” the red bass player join “Pinky,” the pink guitar player and “Blue the Friendly Cowboy,” the blue lead singer. Each member of the band measures 13’ tall, weighs 1,000-1,200 lbs., and is located on major thoroughfare in Lubbock.
They can be found at:
- “Amarillo Kid” fiddle player – Marsha Sharp Freeway @ 19 th Street
- “Prairie Rose” bass player – South Loop 289 Flyover & I-27
- “Pinky” guitar player – Marsha Sharp Freeway & Avenue L
- “Big Blue the Friendly Cowboy” singer – Loop 289 @ Spur 327 (outside the loop)
The artist for the “Friendly Cowboy Western String Band” series is B. C. Gilbert. Although sculpture is the media in which Gilbert finds the most opportunity, he also works in painting, print, and mixed-media. Gilbert has a BFA from Cameron University and MFA from Texas Tech University. He resides in Wichita Falls, Texas and his work has been showcased in solo, juried, and group exhibitions.
The “Friendly Cowboy Western Swing Band” will remain on display through next year as part of the Arts Alliance’ rotating public art collection PDA (Public Display of Art) in Lubbock. After 2023, new pieces of art will be selected to replace the current ones – ensuring that there is always something different to view at various intersections.
The project is a collaboration of Texas Department of Transportation, Tornado Industrial/Arts, and Lubbock Arts Alliance. The project is funded by the Sessions Family Foundation and the City of Lubbock/Civic Lubbock Cultural Grants Program as recommended by Civic Lubbock, Inc.
