Here is the article in yesterdays newspaper the CASPER STAR TRIBUNE. New Navarro sculpture on display at Casper Boys & Girls Club

By Sally Ann Shurmur
He rolled up in his white Ford pickup, towing a flatbed trailer. Thirty minutes later, “Dare to Dream Big,” the newest three-piece monument by Casper sculptor Chris Navarro, was installed outside the Boys & Girls Club of Central Wyoming in Casper.
The piece depicts a kitten looking into a mirror and seeing a lion looking back at him. The kitten is perched on two thick books with “The Power of Belief,” written on the spines. A mouse peeks from around the base of the mirror.
“If you want to be a lion, you gotta think like a lion,” Navarro said, as he hustled around Wednesday and waited for help from heavy equipment to arrive.
The lion in the mirror is the largest piece, standing just over 6 feet tall. Combined, the two bronze pieces and the interactive welded chalkboard weigh 1,300 pounds.
Navarro spent three months sculpting the art, which then spent three months being cast.
“I like to inspire people,” Navarro said. “I saw a poster of a kitten looking in the mirror and he saw a lion looking back at him, and thought, ‘that would be a neat sculpture.’”
Navarro’s story is inspiring in itself. He quit his high-paying oilfield job in May 1986 when his son was an infant and his wife was pregnant with their daughter to pursue his dream of being a professional bronze artist.
The monument will compete for the prestigious ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, Michigan this fall, at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Navarro says it is one of the largest art shows in the world, attracting 1,500 pieces from 2,100 artists. The People’s Choice prize alone is worth $200,000.
Until August 29, Casperites will be able to view it and write their dreams on the chalk board.
There will be an “unveiling” on Friday featuring Navarro, who will have messages for the teen members of the club at 10 a.m.
“This completely lines up with inspiring the kids to dream, which we do every day,” said Ashley Bright, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club.
And then Bright was urged by Navarro and staffers to write his dream on the chalkboard.
Under the permanent phrase “I dare to dream big and will ....,” Bright wrote, “continue to do my part to build a beloved community.”
As the installation was wrapping up, Navarro said his dream is that the installation finds a permanent home at the Boys & Girls Club.
The retail price is $56,000, and Navarro is donating a third of that. Casperites need just come up with $37,300 to make that happen.

If anyone is interested in donating to the DARE TO DREAM BIG sculpture message me thanks Chris

I placed my new Monumental bronze sculpture titled ‘’DARE TO DREAM BIG ‘’At the Boys and Girls Club of Casper, WY.

I placed my new Monumental bronze sculpture titled ‘’DARE TO DREAM BIG ‘’At the Boys and Girls Club of Casper, WY. It will be on display until Aug 28 and then travel to Artprize at Grand Rapids, Mi. The sculpture also has an interactive element. Next to the monumental bronze ‘’DARE TO DREAM BIG’’ is a large double sided outdoor chalk board. At the top of the board a sign reads. 

  I DARE TO DREAM BIG AND I WILL…. (fill in the blanks)

 Writing down goals helps clarify what you want and motivate you to act. Open your mind and heart to the possibilities, trust and believe, if you write it down, one day your goals and dreams will come true!

So, friends I ask you, what would you do if you were to dare to dream big? Write it down and post it here or write it on the chalkboard at the Boys and Girls Club.  My new dream is to see DARE TO DREAM BIG find a permanent home at the Boys And Girls Club in Casper.                            

‘’TASTES LIKE CHICKEN ‘’Bronze, Road runners like to eat rattle snakes.

 Lynne and I were walking down our road and saw a big 4’ Bull snake I told her they were good snakes that they killed rattlesnakes. Lynne said how do you know that? I told her I always heard that even though I had never seen it. Well I googled it and found out it was a myth. Has anyone else every heard that Bull snake killed rattlesnakes I always thought it was true.

My first bronze sculpture SPINNING AND WNNING.

My first bronze sculpture SPINNING AND WNNING 1980 I was 24 how time flies

This is a list of books of some of my favorites. What are some of your favorite books?

I first taught myself to sculpt by reading books. I also listen to books when I am working or driving. This is a list of books of some of my favorites. What are some of your favorite books? Let me know thanks  chrisnavarro.com

1.Art & Fear by David Bayles

2. Days of Grace by Arthur Ashe

3. Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston

4. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

5. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

6.The War of Art: Winning the Inner Creative Battle by Steven Pressfield

7. The Fighter's Mind: Inside the Mental Game by Sam Sheridan (Author)

8. I'd Rather Be in the Studio: The Artist's No-Excuse Guide by Alyson B. Stanfield

9. Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance

10. The Eighty-Dollar Champion: Snowman BY Elizabeth Letts Steve Jobs – by Walter Isaacson

TO BE A CHAMPION ALL YOU GOTTA GIVE IS ALL YOU GOT!

The College Rodeo Finals are in Casper this week and its great to see all these young men and women competing to be champions. ‘’ TO BE A CHAMPION ALL YOU GOTTA GIVE IS ALL YOU GOT!
‘’ALL OUT’’ bronze chrisnavarro.com

It is an honor to have my work at the 2018 Cheyenne Frontier Days Western Art Show.

It is an honor to have my work at the 2018 Cheyenne Frontier Days Western Art Show. Here are the sculptures I will be showing hope to see you there.

THE NATION’S TOP WESTERN ARTISTS RECEPTION AT THE GOVERNOR’S RESIDENCE LIVE AUCTION & DINNER July 19, 2018,The CFD Western Art Show & Sale features many of the nation’s top artists presenting original art that celebrates the heritage of the American West.

https://cfdartshow.com/collections/chris-navarro

Lane Frost's parents Clyde and Elsie Frost visiting my memorial to their son. CHAMPION LANE FROST Monumental Bronze

Lane Frost's parents Clyde and Elsie Frost visiting my memorial to their son.

CHAMPION LANE FROST  Monumental Bronze, 15’ x 11’ x 9’

World Champion bull rider Lane Frost lost his life at age 25 competing in the 1989 Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo. I wanted to honor the great young man who paid the ultimate price doing what he had a passion and love for, so I decided to commission myself as the artist. Champion Lane Frost is always going to be my favorite sculptures because of all of the difficulties and challenges it took to complete it. Every time I started feeling good about the project, something would come along and knock me down. Right out of the gate, the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo Committee turned me down, saying I would have to raise all of the funds on my own. My father suffered a stroke just as I was starting the monument. He died on Nov. 8, 1992. When I was nearly finished with the clay original, it burned up in a fire at Caleco Foundry in Cody, Wyoming, on March 6, 1993. I was living in the foundry when an electric heater warming the clay shorted out and started a fire in the building. I awoke at 3 a.m. to find my room filled with smoke and called 911 before jumping out of the second story window. The volunteer fire department arrived and extinguished the fire, but not before the surface of the clay sculpture and most of my tools had been destroyed.. I ordered new tools and clay that very day and began working long hours to repair the damage. I was able to finish the monument and delivered it just days before the dedication on July 26, 1993. This was my first large public monument and it will always have a special place in my heart. Champion Lane Frost is located at Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Through its simple truth, the following quote by Lane touches my heart and gives me strength.  ''Don't be afraid to go after what you want to do and what you want to be. But don't be afraid to be willing to pay the price.''  ̶ Lane Frost

The vote was 3 to 1 yes that people like to see the price listed in the ad.

I asked a question to my facebook friends when you see art advertised in a magazine do you like to see the prices listed or not. The vote was 3 to 1 yes that people like to see the price listed in the ad.  Thanks to everyone who voted. As an artist it is good to know when you promote your work. chrisnavarro.com

It was announced today that Casper Police officer Jacob Carlson will receive the 2018 Mick and Susie McMurry Cowboy Code Try Award at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming’s Annual Awards and Recognition Breakfast

It was announced today that Casper Police officer Jacob Carlson will receive the 2018 Mick and Susie McMurry Cowboy Code Try Award at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming’s Annual Awards and Recognition Breakfast to be held on August 29, 2018.

Ashley Bright - On behalf of Susie McMurry, The McMurry Foundation, Mark Zaback, George Bryce, Chris Navarro, Tyler and Trudi Holthouse, Kim DeVore and Phil Schmidt (Selection Team), we announce the 2018 Mick and Susie McMurry Cowboy Code Try Award to Officer Jacob Carlson of the Casper Police Department!

The presentation of the beautiful bronze statue award by Chris Navarro will be made at the 20th Breakfast in August honoring John Jorgensen with Carey Lohrenz! Officer Jacob Carlson, while protecting our city, was shot and injured when a man pulled his gun in a shootout on May 6th in Casper.  Officer Carlson, an American hero, will be recognized at the 20th Breakfast on August 29th, 7am at the Casper Events Center! 

Officer Jacob Carlson is a three-year veteran of the Casper Police Department.

Jacob is a proud member of Patrol Team 4.

Officer Carlson is a United States military veteran, honorably discharged from the United States Army as a Sergeant. Officer Carlson’s military record was exemplary, having received awards in the following areas: Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award), Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal, and the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon.

Well, to understand "THE TRY" you have to first understand what THE TRY is.  The word try in the American language means to “make an attempt”.  But according to the book “THE TRY: Reclaiming the American Dream” by James Owen he refers to TRY as a noun.  He states that “in the cowboy culture, if you have the TRY, you possess a quality of giving something every ounce of effort that you can muster.  And if a cowboy really, really likes you, he will say you have -THE TRY- that means you will give 110% to achieve whatever goal you have set for yourself.

We all have or will face adversity at some point in our lives, and how we deal with that adversity, how we jump over those hurdles, how we recover and continue on with our lives define us as people.  And those that have the unique characteristic, the TRY, will see those goals we’ve set and ambitions we have, become reality.  It is at the very heart of the Code of the West and Cowboy Ethics.

The award is given annually to a person in the community and state who has demonstrated THE TRY!

For Immediate Release      Contact: Ashley Bright, CEO, BGCCW, (307) 235-4079

20th Breakfast Honoree Announced

Casper – A man who has inspired thousands of Wyoming youngsters to read has been chosen as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming’s 20th Breakfast Honoree. John Jorgensen will be honored at the Annual Awards and Recognition Breakfast to be held on August 29, 2018.

For the past 31 years, John has served on the Casper College Foundation Board, the last 28 years as president. He also serves on the Hilltop National Bank Board of Directors.

The Breakfast will feature a keynote address by the first female F-14 Tomcat pilot, Carey Lohrenz. Having flown missions worldwide as a combat, mission ready United States Navy pilot, Ms. Lohrenz is a pioneer in military aviation. She uses her experience in fast moving, dynamic environments to inspire fearless leadership through courage, tenacity, and integrity. She has been requested by and coached some of the top Fortune 100 businesses such as AT&T, Prudential, Walmart, Verizon, and Kimberly-Clark, to name a few. Reservations for the 20th Annual Awards and Recognition Breakfast can be made beginning in June.

I personally like to put my prices in my ads because I think having collectors know the price before they contact the artist makes sense.

My question to my facebook friends when you see art advertised in a magazine do you like to see the prices listed or not. The results are in and it was an overwhelming yes. I personally like to put my prices in my ads because I think having collectors know the price before they contact the artist makes sense. That way the collector can determine if they want to proceed to the next step in acquiring the piece. Thanks to everyone who commented to my question.

BIG MISTAKE

It was beautiful day yesterday and my wife Lynne and friends Deb and Barb we decided to float the river and I just got my new fishing paddle board I thought it was cool because it came with a ice cooler seat and I decided to take my cell phone. I put it in a waterproof zip bag and put it inside the cooler I thought it would be safe and I could take some photos of our adventure - BIG MISTAKE in fact these are the last 2 pictures it ever took. I hit the fast water and it pushed me into a bridge embankment and flipped my board over and the cooler lid and I flew off and we had a yard sale. That’s the last time I saw my Iphone 6. I had that phone for 3 years and I guess it was time to upgrade to a Iphone 8. When I updated the phone I cloud had saved the photos. There is probably some trout on the North Platte TAKING SELFIES !