Anybody know the history of these really cool western paintings/murals at each portal of the Will Rogers Coliseum? My family and I went to the rodeo last night, and my wife noticed them. There's nothing necessarily special about them artistically, but they're just really pleasant to look at. If I'm counting correctly, there are 28 portals leading from the coliseum concourse to the seating area, and each one is bedecked with a Western painting. Today, I'm out at the the Will Rogers Memorial Center helping with the Star-Telegram's stock show coverage. If you know the history of these paintings, Tweet me @gdickson or send an email to gdickson@star-telegram.com ...
I just ran into Punch Shaw, the Star-Telegram's rodeo and stock show guru, and he says the artwork has been a feature on the coliseum portals as long as he can remember. He says the paintings may have been redone, or freshened up recently, but the presence of artwork in the coliseum seating area is nothing new.
The Will Rogers Center and adjacent Landmark Pioneer Tower were built in 1936, the year of Texas' centennial celebration, according to FWCulture.com ... It was named after humorist and writer Will Rogers.
@gdickson
