Major the Bull

Liberty Arts was founded in September of 2000 by working artists and interested citizens with the intention to create a sculpture studio, bronze casting facility and art pavilion in Durham Central Park.The first mission for Liberty Arts was to cast an icon for the City of Durham, the larger than life bronze bull “Major”, named for George “Major” Watts Hill, an American banker, hospital administrator and philanthropist.

Artists Michael Waller and his wife Leah Foushee Waller were commissioned to sculpt and cast Major in bronze. They began with a clay maquette, and then molded and cast the smaller version in bronze as a gift to CCB in order to request funding for Liberty Arts construction and a life size bronze Major the Bull.

Mike and Leah then sculpted, molded and cast Major the Bull in several public bronze castings. With the help of many volunteers, especially local blacksmith Jimmy Alexander, Major the Bull was completed in 13 months.

Click here to watch a clip from Spectrum News One, celebrating Major’s 17th Birthday.