MURALS - Bringing History to Life

AMERICA'S SMALL-TOWN MURALIST

December and January were cold in Oregon, but just right for being in Lindsay CA. Thanks to Bill Drennen and the Lindsay Mural and Public Art Society, Roger had the most celebrated mural ever in his career. The festivities, initiated by a parade of approximately 65 Charro riders in full regalia featured the President and Vice President of the Charro Federation of Mexico and California. Charro's from Sacramento to San Diego were in attendance as well as dignitaries from Lindsay and the surrounding area. Roger's mural painted on the Cal Citrus packing plant depicts a Charreada with various events that show the tremendous courage, pride and skills of the Charro’s. The Charro’s were very highly revered for their balance, courage, dexterity, horsemanship, values and great character. Charro’s served then, as they do today, as positive role models for society in general and specifically for the children.

Lindsay, CA, Suntreat

Toppenish, Washington

Exeter, CA "The Firebaugh Kids"

^ Top

Following in the steps of Johnny Appleseed, Roger Cooke, “America’s Small-Town Muralist,” travels to small towns from Michigan to North Carolina, from Florida to California – not planting trees but painting spectacular, mammoth murals on the sides of downtown buildings. These murals bring new life to sleepy streets, restore community pride and, not incidentally, generate “must-see” tourist attractions that have helped local economies revive.

The color-splashed, over-size murals created by the 66 year old Cooke dramatically depict events in each town’s history – visual pictures of the past which, often, many local residents were not even aware of – that have helped to preserve local history as well as provide a giant turnaround to the fortunes of once-dying American small towns.

Oklahoma Land Rush, Alva, Oklahoma

To view more of Roger Cooke's murals, click here.

Cooke has been involved as an artist in many "mural-in-a-day" projects and has also been the Master Artist overseeing 12-14 artists to complete a mural in one day. This is a great way for mural committees to create awareness, pull a community together and raise funds.