‘Seminole Family’ Bronze Sculpture Presentation

By Chris Jenkins

TALLAHASSEE, FL — In honoring the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s pride and tradition, the R.A. Gray Building Heritage Gallery featured a cast bronze sculpture dedication entitled “Seminole Family” on March 15. This is part of the third annual Florida Heritage Month 2006, which runs through April 15.

Seminole Family depicted a family circa 1830. It is the second of four scheduled figural groups depicting the native peoples of Florida in their natural environment; last year’s family was entitled, “Movin On” depicting a Miccosukee family. It shows the family walking along a path, with a man holding a rifle, a young boy and a woman carrying a small child.

The Seminole Family sculpture’s setting is the Seminole War Era, and the family is concerned and watchful of U.S. soldiers in pursuit. The soldiers remain a constant threat, and are weighing heavy on the family’s thoughts.

Their clothing is made from trade materials. The jewelry (Creek silver) is made by French Canadians traded to the Creeks and Seminoles. The man and boy are wearing gorgets, which are crescent-shaped pieces of armor used to protect the throat. The device is carried down from the British and is similar to armor from the French and Indian Wars.

The inspiration behind the figures creation came from the father and son duo of Brad Cooley and Brad Cooley Jr., of Cooley Bronze Sculptures in Lamont, Fla. The self-taught elder Cooley makes large bronze sculptures of animal wildlife and other figures in Native American legend. In 1986, Cooley Jr. joined his father and has since helped to create 37 life-sized and monumental figures found in parks, museums, and corporations all across the U.S.

Brad Cooley Sr. says Indian and Seminole traditions have always been important to him.

“We have Seminole history and heritage in our family,” Cooley Sr. said.

Echoing his father’s remarks, Cooley Jr. added his thoughts.

“We have worked all across the country, but we prefer the southeast,” he said. “Our favorite subject is the Florida Seminole Tribe.”

The year-long process of making the figures began with layering clay over a foundation armature of wood and metal. More clay was applied and molded until they were satisfied with their vision. Once the clay was complete to specific detail, they were prepared for casting by master mold-maker, Carla Knight of Denver, Colo. The rubber molds of the figures were then sent to the foundry, Bronze Services of Loveland, Colo.

Wax was then poured into the molds to recreate a positive image. Ceramic molds were then cast over the wax figures and heated to melt out the wax in preparation for the pouring of molten bronze at around 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once the ceramic molds were broke away, the bronze figures were reassembled, cleaned, and finished with coloring, called patina. The bronze thickness on each figure is approximately three-sixteenths of an inch.

In attendance for the presentation was the Tribal President Moses Osceola. He felt the sculptures were beautiful and inspire pride for the Seminole people.

“I think it gives us a good presence here for the public of the Tribe,” Osceola said. “It’s a great depiction of representing us today.”

Next year’s sculptures will depict the European incursion period, followed in 2008 by the Paleo Man period, known as the oldest Native Americans on record the U.S.