No Tall Tail: Commemorating 40 years of "The Bull" statue in Ellensburg

We are thrilled to share that this year's Ellensburg Downtown Association Ornament Fundraiser features Ellensburg's beloved (and notorious) "The Bull" statue, housed at Unity Park. 2025 marks 40 years since a group of community members saw a need for public art, and raised all of the funds to bring Richard Beyer's unique sculpture to Ellensburg.

We sat down with Jane Orleman, an original member of the Downtown Taskforce committee that brought "The Bull" to Ellensburg, and listened as she told the great story of this statue's creation.

A miniature cedar model of “The Bull” is created to generate interest and funds for the larger than life steel sculpture.

Jane Orleman, celebrated artist and longtime Ellensburg resident, began her story with a box.. A well-preserved box containing incredible pieces of "The Bull's" story.

• A detailed rodeo buckle produced by Jerrol's, featuring an inscription commemorating "The Bull" and the Ellensburg Rodeo.

• Custom buttons used for the statue's fundraising, stating "I'm bullish on Ellensburg."

• Plastic baggies of original "bull dung", sold for $3.00 a baggie to help raise funds.

  
  

As Jane unwrapped a beautifully preserved cedar model of the bull perched on a park bench, she reflected on where the story of "The Bull" began.

"Dick and I were having lunch one day in Everett," Jane noted, referencing her late husband and celebrated artist Dick Elliott. "and we were across from [the sculpture] Waiting for the Interurban. We looked at each other and decided Ellensburg needed public art."

Moving Into Action: Fundraising Begins

Dick and Jane brought this dream to artist and sculptor Richard (Rich) Beyer, who began concepts on the sculpture.

The model, named "Cowboy," was a bull sitting on a bench with a cowboy hat on his lap. Rich said it was to honor the cattle industry in the area. But some cattle ranchers were offended by the title, and felt put down by the use of the word "Cowboy." (from “The Art People Love: Stories of Richard S. Beyer’s Life and His Sculpture” by Margaret W. Beyer)

"When Rich heard about the uproar in the name Cowboy, he laughed and said, 'it will be a cow-boy!'," Jane shared.

Once it was decided that the statue would be called "The Bull" and the concept had been finalized, the Downtown Taskforce moved into action.

The Bull was going to cost $15,000 to create and install, and the Ellensburg community got creative. Jane, along with a fundraising team containing members such as Jan and John Ludtka and Dick Elliott, began hosting "Fun Raisers". Local artists donated artwork for the fundraisers. A life-size cast of the statue embarked on a tour of regional State Fairs, where folks could pay $3 to get a photo with "The Bull." Baggies of bull droppings were sold as a funny ode to the art piece.

Jane Orleman shares her story of “The Bull” through newspaper clippings, artifacts, and personal anecdotes. 

Steering Clear: Anatomy Causes Controversy

As fundraising continued, the underlying reason for the sculpture's controversy came to light:

The Bull's private parts, which are not "private" in a real bull's life on the open range, were suddenly disturbing to ranchers, cowboys, and The Cowbelles, an organization of ranch wives. Grandmothers, too, protested that they could not take their grandchildren near the bull for fear of rude anatomical indoctrination. We wondered how they kept their wee ones clear of all the pastures in the Kittitas Valley. (from “The Art People Love: Stories of Richard S. Beyer’s Life and His Sculpture” by Margaret W. Beyer)

Although there was some healthy controversy, when Richard Beyer presented a life-size styrofoam cast of "The Bull" to Ellensburg, it was met with excitement.

"A lot of people who were against it," noted Jane. "would stop me on the street and say, 'you know, this is a good thing."

The final cast aluminum sculpture "The Bull" was permanently installed at the Ellensburg Rotary Pavilion in 1986, cementing a notorious story and a community's commitment to public art. We are proud to celebrate the community's massive impact in fundraising for this piece throughout the year of 1985.

Jane Orleman has graciously donated her artifacts to the Kittitas County Historical Museum, through whom this interview was made possible. Residents and visitors can soon visit these items and controversial news articles at the museum. The Kittitas County Historical Museum is proud to continue collecting and preserving the story of “The Bull”, keeping it an important part of our community.

The Commitment Continues: Fundraising for Downtown Ellensburg Beautification Projects

We left the conversation feeling very inspired by Jane's story of how "The Bull" came to land in Ellensburg. It showed an unwavering commitment to public art and downtown beautification, and the power that residents have to make a positive impact in their towns.

"Dick and I believe in the power of art to create community," Jane said with a smile.

At the Ellensburg Downtown Association, we believe this as well. We are proud to honor "The Bull" through our downtown ornament fundraiser this year. Each ornament purchase helps light up our streets, fund festive programming, and keep downtown looking magical all winter long. 

ORNAMENT LOCATIONS:

• Pearl Street Books & Gifts

• Valo

• Fortuity Cellars

• Gard Vintners

• Ellensburg Floral & Gifts

• Gallery One Visual Arts Center

• Columbia Bank (Formerly Umpqua)

• Buddy's Barkery

• The Grazing Table

  
  

We are proud to continue the legacy of caring for our beautiful historic district. Thank you for supporting the Ellensburg Downtown Association through the purchase of an ornament!