Bronze By Cooley | Monumental and Lifesize Sculptures

Having met some of America’s great artists: James Bama, Harry Jackson, Guy LaBree, Pat Kipper, T.D. Kelsey, and collected some of their work, I immediately recognized Brad as a master artist the moment I observed him sculpting a piece of clay in 1982. It is my belief the day is approaching when Bronze by Cooley work will bring to life the unique history and people of the southeastern United States much like Remington and Russell’s art did for our westen expansion era in the 19th Century

– W.R. Bobby Floyd

FAMU Rattler | Bronze Sculpture at FAMU

The Rattler / Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL (January 2021)

  • Monumental 42 feet long bronze/ 7 times larger than life
  • Commissioned by: Florida A&M University (FAMU)
  • Historical facts: depiction of real rattler- weighing 1800 pounds.
  • Research conducted and/or people consulted:
  • How long to make: 18 months
Bronze by Cooley | Bobby Bowden | Samford University

Coach Bobby Bowden/ Samford University and Bowden Family, Birmingham Alabama (April 2014)

  • Monumental 10 feet tall bronze/ larger than life
  • Commissioned by: Samford University, Birmingham, AL
  • Historical facts: Bobby Bowden’s Alma mater. Bobby Bowden served as assistant football coach
    and head coach of field and track between 1954-1962 at Samford University. Known at that time
    as Howard College.
  • Research conducted and/or people consulted: Coach Bobby Bowden and family/ personal
    sessions at Cooley studio with Coach Bobby and Ann Bowden. Coach Bowden stated, “I am glad
    “the Cooley’s have been chosen to do this because I know they will do a good job”.
  • How long to make: 16 months
Indian Heritage Tableau Seminole Family | Tallahassee, FL Capitol

Museum of Florida History Permanent Collection, Florida Department of State (2006)

  • Life-size bronze family
  • Commissioned by: Chairman Mitchell Cypress, Seminole Tribe of Florida
  • Historical facts:
    • Research conducted and/or people consulted:
    • How long to make: 4 years (for total collection)
Bronze by Cooley | Jazz Man | Railroad Square Historic Art District, Tallahassee, FL

The Jazz Man/ Tallahassee, FL (August 2023)

  • Life-size bronze jazz player with sitting stool
  • Commissioned by: City of Tallahassee/ with support from former County Commissioner Mary
  • Ann Lindley (retired), and Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency
  • Historical facts: represents Tallahassee’s past, present and future art culture and music.
  • Research conducted and/or people consulted: Part of Capital Cascades Trail History and Culture.
  • Modeled by Scotty Barnhardt, two-time Grammy Award winner, jazz player, trumpeter, and
  • composer.
  • How long to make: 12 months
Seminole Family at Doak Campbell Stadium, Florida State University

Seminole Family/ Moore Athletic Center, Florida State University (2006)

  • 4 Life-size bronzes (family)
  • Commissioned by: Florida State University
  • Historical facts: 1830’s Seminole Family/ Dress
  • Research conducted and/or people consulted: David Blackard, Ah-Tha-Thi-Ki Museum, Hollywood, FL
  • How long to make: 18 months
Ray Charles | Bronze Sculpture in Greenville, FL

Ray Charles/ Ray Charles family and Newtown Macon (Ga), Haffye Hayes Park, Greenville, FL (February 2006)

  • Life-size with bench and floating keyboard
  • Commissioned by: Town of Greenville, Elesta Pritchett, Mayor (retired)
  • Historical facts: Ray Charles, Legendary Singer/Song Writer. Ray Charles was born in GA, and
  • raised in Greenville, FL. Greenville has always claimed Ray as one of their own.
  • Research conducted and/or people consulted: grant funded and artist time donated.
  • How long to make: 1 year
Aurelío Casañas the Clarinet Player

Pinnacle Art in Public Places, Frenchtown, Tallahassee, FL (March 2020)
 Life-size bronze bust and note
 Commissioned by: Pinnacle Housing Group by Doris Meltzer, Art Consultant
 Research conducted and/or people consulted: self-study of the instrument and stanza.
 How long to make: 12 months