About the Artist
Guadalupe Barajas, a native of Wyoming, considers Cheyenne home. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in three-dimensional design from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
He chose to stay in Chicago working for the Chicago Public School System as an art instructor. He received many honors during his tenure, culminating with the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. This award afforded Barajas a sabbatical leave, during which time he rediscovered his true calling as a sculptor.
Retiring from teaching in 1994, Barajas returned to Wyoming and committed himself full-time as a bronze sculptor. Early in his career, Barajas focused primarily on wildlife as his subject matter. Today, he has expanded his range of interest in telling life stories of his Native American heritage through sculpture.
His talent and recognition have afforded him his share of monumental commissions. As he says, “The challenges and frustrations of working on monumental works of art can often become overwhelming. But it’s the longevity and legacy of bronze that becomes the driving force within me to accept yet another proposal”.
As an artist, he has achieved many of the goals he set for himself. To date, his tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. entitled “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” has been his most fulfilling commission.
Barajas has these additional monuments in Cheyenne:
| Title: |
"Say Cheese” |
| Description: |
Four teenagers in 1960’s attire clowning for the photographer’s camera |
| Location: |
Lincoln Park, behind the former Johnson Junior High School |
| |
More Information |
| |
|
| Title: |
“Moment of Glory” |
| Description: |
A large hand and baseball glove |
| Location: |
Brimmer Park Softball Complex |
| |
More Information |
| |
|
| Title: |
“Blake and Tess” |
| Description: |
Private commission depicting a young child who died at an early age, his cat “Tess” and his wagon |
| Location: |
Lakeview Cemetery |
| |
More Information |
| |
|
| Title: |
“Russ” (Ed. #1) |
| Description: |
Private commission by Mrs. Mary Ostlund, to be
installed at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, Cheyenne, Wyoming. |
| Location: |
Cheyenne Botanic Gardens |
| |
More Information |
| |
|
| Title: |
“Russ” (Ed. #2) |
| Description: |
Private commission by Mrs. Mary Ostlund, installed at
The Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind,Smithtown, New York. |
| Location: |
Smithtown, New York |
| |
More Information |
| |
|
| Title: |
“Gene Howard” |
| Description: |
Likeness of Gene Howard, horticulturist, commissioned by the Friends of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens Foundation |
| Location: |
Cheyenne Botanic Gardens |
| |
More Information |
| |
|
| Title: |
“Buddies” |
| Description: |
Two bull moose seemingly enjoying each other’s company like two old buddies. |
| Location: |
Sierra Trading Post |
| |
More Information |
| |
|
As a sculptor, there are two awards Barajas considers his most prestigious, to date. Being selected as “Artist of the Year” in 1997, by the National Bison Association, and winning 1st Place Gold in 1999 from the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep.
In the summer months, Barajas travels to art shows where he is award winning in the three dimensional category. His most recent awards were for Best of Show at the Western Spirit Art Show and Sale, as well as Best of Show and first and second place at the All Laramie County Art Show and Sale and Best of Show and Best Bronze at the Platte Valley Arts Festival in Saratoga, Wyoming in July, 2006.
|
|
Guadalupe Barajas
Guadalupe Barajas' sculpture "Tatanka" was featured on the cover of "Bison World" for being NBA's Artist of the Year in 1997.
Heart of the West
Five artists, including four from Wyoming, were honored at the "Heart of the West Invitational Bronze Show and Sale" western art exhibit October, 2007 in Lander.
Guadalupe Barajas won the Wind River Casino sponsored Best Native American Award for "Chief Little Shield."
|
