A 9-foot tall, 15-hundred-pound Rattlesnake now stands guard in front of Florida A&M University’s new student success center on Wahnish Way. The bronze sculpture weighs as much as a cow. FAMU Student Affairs Vice President William Hudson says the response to the statue has been great so far.
"Oh, it’s been very positive. People have been very positive about the statue, and they love the statue. And congratulating the University in making a great choice in the symbolism of the statue," said Hudson. "Now I’ve had some staff who are afraid of snakes say well it looks a little mean."
The statue was made by sculptor Brad Cooley of North Florida. The school says it wanted something that had spirit and symbolized the university. FAMU’s mascot is “the Rattler.”
While a picture of the sculpture has already surfaced, the actual unveiling of the piece won’t be until January.
Look at the gallery below to see pictures of the sculpting process.
1 of 7
— Bradley adding clay to the wire frame of the rattler.
Pictures of the sculpting process taken to create the Rattler bronze.
2 of 7
— Small maquette sculpted for Florida A.& M. University by Bradley Cooley at Bronze By Cooley Lamont, Florida.
Pictures of the sculpting process taken to create the Rattler bronze.
3 of 7
— Bradley Cooley Jr. and son posing with the Rattler before adding on the rest of the scales.
Pictures of the sculpting process taken to create the Rattler bronze.
4 of 7
— Bradley Cooley working on the face.jpg
Pictures of the sculpting process taken to create the Rattler bronze.
5 of 7
— Bradley making the snake scales.
Pictures of the sculpting process taken to create the Rattler bronze.
6 of 7
— Holden and Trent spraying armature with paint to keep oxidation action between metal and clay from occurring.
Pictures of the sculpting process taken to create the Rattler bronze.
7 of 7
— Holden Cooley and Trent (friend) posing in front of the Rattler.
Pictures of the sculpting process taken to create the Rattler bronze.
