UCO to unveil renowned Oklahoma artist's broncho statue

April 20, 2006

Renowned Western artist Harold T. Holden will dedicate his statue “The Broncho” to the University of Central Oklahoma on Tuesday, April 25.

The bronze, life-size bucking horse will be unveiled at 1:30 p.m. on the East corner of Garland Godfrey Drive at the main entrance of the UCO campus.

“ We are very excited to have Mr. Holden’s statue on our campus,” said Brenda Knott, Annual Giving and Special Programs administrator of the UCO Foundation.

“ ‘The Broncho’ is an approved Edmond Centennial project, which is great since Oklahoma’s Centennial is coming up in 2007.”

The Edmond Centennial Commission includes projects such as “The Broncho” in its master plan order to “implement public art that captures the diversity of the Oklahoma experience and spirit.”

Holden is widely recognized for his sculptures and paintings, and particularly for his sculptures of horses.

His work is included in numerous museums such as the Oklahoma State Capitol and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. He has also created monuments such as the Will Rogers horseback statue at the Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City and the “We Will Remember” monument for the OSU Plane crash memorial in the Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater.

Holden’s son Tim Holden, who graduated from UCO in 1991 with a bachelor degree in graphic design, is also an artist and recently had his artwork showcased alongside pieces by his father.

“The Broncho” dedication will be open to the public, with a reception to immediately follow.

Page updated 4/20/06