Welding sculptor to visit Herd Wear store

Donley County and area residents will have an opportunity to meet a Texas artist and participate in a unique project this Spring Break weekend.

Texas artist and rancher Terry Jones will be on site at the Herd Wear Retail Store on US Hwy 287 in Goodnight Saturday and Sunday, March 17 and 18.

Jones created the fabulous and famous 300-pound welded wrench bison statue on display at the store, and he will be discussing the Herd Wear Retail Store’s upcoming 12-foot tall Charles Goodnight statue that he has been working on for the past six months and will take another six months to complete.

The Goodnight statue will include donated objects that Texas Panhandle families want to include to honor their Panhandle heritage.

“Goodnight did not build the Panhandle on his own,” says Herd Wear Store owner and bison rancher Cecil Miskin. “We want this monument to represent as many of the pioneer families out here as want to participate.”
Local residents can bring something from their family’s history – an old tool, farm implement, car part, etc. –anything metal that Jones can weld into the base of the statue.

“We’ll engrave the family name and make it a part of this art work for all those traveling US 287 to enjoy and recognize that the ‘Panhandle Spirit,’ the cooperation and success that comes with working together, has been here since the beginning,” Miskin said.

Jones loves using old busted guns, spurs, badges, household items, and almost anything metal.
The beauty of Jones’ work is that as you back away from the statue, suddenly, the pieces disappear and only the animal shows up. That is because Jones studies the musculature of his subjects as a whole and captures the essence of his subjects

Metal donations will be accepted for the next three months at the Herd Wear Retail Store seven days a week.

“Come by and let us learn more about your family’s part in the history of the Texas Panhandle,” Miskin said.

Jones will also bring several of his current works – especially his horse creations – that will be on display and for sale over the weekend.

The Herd Wear Retail Store is located at 2000 US Hwy 287 in Goodnight, next to the entrance of the Charles Goodnight Historical Center.