Photo: The artist, Gene Galazan, with his three welded horse sculptures donated to the Town of Chino Valley
The Town of Chino Valley’s Mayor Tom Armstrong along with Barbara Nelson, Founder and President of the Trail Art Project, is happy to announce that the town has accepted from local sculptor Gene Galazan, the generous donation of three of his horse sculptures. Gene is a noted and prolific local sculpture artist whose horses also graze on Glassford Hill, at the Phippen Museum, and other locations as well as reside in public and private collections.
The three horses were delivered by Jonathan Decker, a sculptor himself, and installed at the Chino Valley Town Hall site last week with the help of the Town’s Parks Department Staff, David Gibson and Jesus Eurrola. Also present were the Chino Valley Mayor, Tom Armstrong; Town Manager, Terri Denemy; and Economic Development Manager, Maggie Holmberg. Maggie was instrumental in her relationship with the Trail Project and the artist in town receiving this gracious donation. Galazan supporters were there as well, including Moses Glidden, filming the event and his wife Dinah Glidden, Larry and Barbara Nelson, long-time friends and supporters of Gene Galazan.
Mayor Tom Armstrong was honored to receive the sculptures and see them placed in a location of prominence at Town Hall. “We were particularly honored,” stated Mayor Armstrong, “When we learned from Mr. Galazan that this donation to the Town of Chino Valley may be his last horse sculptures. They represent an important part of our town’s ranching and riding culture.” Galazan stated that he’d rather see his work in public rather than private hands, and he would rather donate than sell them for money.
You can visit the Town of Chino Valley’s Galazan horse sculpture installation at Town Hall, 202 N State Route 89, Chino Valley, Arizona. The sculptures reside on the south side of the entrance next to the town’s Military Flag installation honoring those who have and continue to serve in our armed forces. Over time, the Town plans to expand the space creating a walking sculpture garden and interactive space for residents and visitors to enjoy.
About the Artist, Gene Galazan
In 1995, Gene moved to Arizona and fell in love with horses. For the next 11 years, he created life size sculptures of horses welded out of scrap steel. The Phippen Museum of Western Art & Heritage, located on Highway 89 north of the Pioneer Parkway / 89A exchange, featured a show of Galazan’s welded steel horse sculptures. The museum purchased three of the sculptures for their collection, and another one was sold from that show. Mr. Galazan later donated two additional large horse and two small colt sculptures to the Museum. You can see the Phippen’s sculptures grazing in front of the museum building.
Galazan’s horses have also been exhibited at the Hahn-Ross Gallery in Santa Fe, NM, Prescott College, and he donated two life size horses and two colts to the City of Prescott Valley, which are now grazing on Glassford Hill. A life size horse was also commissioned by a private client in Point Reyes, CA.
