6 7 allow more natural light into the concourse. The building’s appearance from the east will also be freshened with an entrance being installed to the newly created multipurpose space in the Coliseum’s southeast corner. Additionally, much care is being taken to bring back the original aluminum ribs that were part of the iconic look of the building when the roof is replaced. PARTNERING FOR THE FUTURE The longstanding partnership between the City of Fort Worth and the Stock Show is, again, limiting taxpayer exposure while taking advantage of the strengths and efficiencies of both organizations. The City of Fort Worth will allocate $41 million to the project. The Stock Show’s taking up the remaining obligation through a $5 million grant, it’s $1 million portion of the savings from the 2024 Sheep & Swine Barn project, and contributing a lighting system designed for sporting events. Moreover, the Stock Show is serving as project manager, at no cost, working closely with the City’s Public Events Department and the contractor Sedalco Construction Services. The renovations are the first of several phases currently being planned for the original 1936 buildings that include the Auditorium and Tower. With a goal of completion by their centennial year, 2036, the next decade promises plenty of hope and excitement for our beloved Will Rogers. TOP PHOTO: Rendering of the proposed Southeast Entrance at WRMC Coliseum showcases the updated gathering space design, offering a modern and welcoming entryway for guests. BOTTOM PHOTO: East side of the WRMC Coliseum with aluminum and glass doors that match the original look and the restoration of the original aluminum ribs in the roof. Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo January 16 - February 7, 2026 www.fwssr.com JULY 2025 NEWSLETTER NAVAJO ARTFORM EMBRACED BY FORT WORTH ART STUDENTS Canvases, boards, brushes and pencils are among the first tools that a young person will likely use during the early stages of an artistic journey. Most wouldn’t consider stone, but 12 young artists held Dremel power tools while working under the tutelage of a Navajo stone carver during the third annual Cowtown Art Partnership Teen Initiative organized by the Fort Worth youth arts organization, Imagination Fort Worth. Stock Show Art Contest Manager, Jordan Simons, played an important role in the workshop that was held at the Will Rogers Memorial Center last month. Alvin Marshall, a member of the Cowboy Artists of America, traveled from the Four Corners area of New Mexico to share his knowledge, skills and passion for the art form that dates back to the paleolithic age when the use of tools used to carve stone for artistic and other purposes originated. Native Americans embraced stone carving techniques to create not only sculptures, but petroglyphs that can be found across the Southwest. Workshop participants began by choosing their stone and sketching their visions for their unique creations. Marshall personally guided each student using a large saw that helped shaped each piece for finer details that each student would apply. Engaging the students in conversations about his Navajo heritage, Marshall explained the storytelling aspects of stone carving. “This hands-on experience exposed students to a rare art form that few their age get to appreciate,” said Simons. “Alvin not only left a lasting impression on these youth but allowed them to connect with a tradition of the amazing Navajo culture that’s such an important component in the history of the American West.”
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