Say hola to the 'Vaquero de Fort Worth'

Published on September 27, 2024

Vaquero de Fort Worth is an original artwork commissioned by the City of Fort Worth through the Fort Worth Public Art program.

The 10-foot bronze sculpture was installed June 4, 2012, at the corner of North Main Street and Central Avenue, between downtown and the historic Stockyards.

"The vaquero, or 'cowman,' is a skilled mounted horseman whose stock-tending techniques significantly contributed to the ranching tradition dating back centuries. Originating in Mexico during the Spanish colonial period and continuing into the trail-driving era of the 19th century, the vaquero shaped the working methods of the modern-day cattle industry," reads the plaque installed beside the sculpture. "The vaquero played a major role in Texas history, guiding cattle and livestock through the Chisholm Trail, which passed through Fort Worth."

We asked Jenny Conn, Fort Worth Public Art collection manager, for some more fun facts about the piece, and here's what she shared with us:

• On Jan. 11, 2008, Fort Worth City Council accepted $111,000 in privately raised funds to commission the Vaquero de Fort Worth - a bronze equestrian sculpture celebrating the contributions of the Mexican cowboy to the history and economic development of Fort Worth.
• In 2003, the Vaquero Committee, chaired by Judge Manuel Valdez, approached the Fort Worth Art Commission with a concept for a bronze equestrian sculpture by North Texas-based artists David Newton and Tomás Bustos. The City, through the Fort Worth Public Art program, funded the sculpture's final design.
• Community stakeholders selected a traffic island on North Main Street at the intersection of Central Avenue, included in a major streetscape improvement plan.
• The City of Fort Worth dedicated the land and funded construction of the plaza. In addition, City funds were set aside to commission the sculpture and the Vaquero Committee pledged to raise matching funds.
• The Vaquero Committee - including Valdez, Juan DeLeon, Manuel Lopez, Abel Sanchez, Tina Valdez, then-Councilmember Sal Espino, Clemente de la Cruz, Robert Figueroa, Victor Garcia, Ramon Guajardo, Doug Harman, Cathy Hernandez, Rosa Navejar and Belinda Norris - successfully met the private fundraising goal in December 2007.

Photos at top and below: Vaquero de Fort Worth (2011), Tomás Bustos and David Newton, bronze. Image courtesy of Fort Worth Public Art.

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Tagged as:

• Arts & Culture
• District 2