A monumental bronze rose sculpture, titled “Tyler’s Great American Rose,” had its design rendering unveiled Monday, Sept. 14, at 11 a.m. at the Rose Garden Center in Tyler. The sculpture is planned for installation in fall 2027 along the pedestrian walkway connecting the Rose Garden Center to the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center. This artwork is designed as a tribute to Tyler’s rose-growing heritage and the rose's significance as America's national flower.
The completed sculpture will stand approximately 10 feet tall, including its 3-foot base, and be approximately 7 feet wide. The campaign to fund the sculpture has a goal of $500,000, covering its creation and installation. The concept for the Bronze Rose originated with the Rosebud Garden Club as it prepared to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The club invited other local garden clubs to form the Bronze Rose Council, which now includes six of Tyler’s garden clubs. These clubs represent nearly 400 members and have participated in the project's development. Cindy Kidwell and Margaret Stewart, both of the Rosebud Garden Club, serve as co-chairmen for both the Bronze Rose Council and its fund development.
Former City of Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass presided over the public design reveal ceremony. Mayor Pro Tem Petra Hawkins, representing District 2, spoke at the event, stating that the sculpture is important for Tyler's legacy as “the rose capital of America.” Hawkins also highlighted the project's alignment with current growth and revitalization in Tyler, noting, "The timing, I believe, is perfect." She commended the local rose clubs for their dedication and ability to raise funds and generate enthusiasm for the project. Kidwell expressed the thrill of unveiling the design for the sculpture, calling it a piece of art "made for Tyler, by Tyler." She confirmed the hope for a fall 2027 dedication, noting the current work on the sculpture’s technical engineering, which involves its internal structure. Kidwell also mentioned architect Steve Fitzpatrick's guidance that art placed in open air often appears smaller, necessitating the grand scale of this sculpture.
Strategic partners assisting the Bronze Rose Council include Barbara Bass, Steve Fitzpatrick of Fitzpatrick Architects, Dr. Julie Philley, president of The University of Texas at Tyler and UT Health East Texas, Mary Elizabeth Jackson, vice president of CHRISTUS Health, and Jamie Landes, member-at-large. The design is a collaborative effort by artists from Randolph Rose Collection, a family-owned company based in Yonkers, New York, with more than 50 years of experience creating monumental sculptures across the United States. Their previous Texas projects include works for the Houston Public Library and Colleyville Heroes Park. The Bronze Rose is currently moving through its engineering and fabrication process with the Randolph Rose Collection.
Funding for the project has been contributed by Tyler-area families, foundations, businesses, organizations, and individuals. All donations are accepted through the East Texas Communities Foundation to the Rose Sculpture Fund for the Tyler Rose Garden, providing a tax-deductible gift. Donors contributing $1,000 or more will receive permanent recognition at the installation site. Any funds raised beyond the $500,000 goal will be allocated to a permanent maintenance fund to support the sculpture’s annual cleaning and waxing.
The sculpture is envisioned as a tribute to the generations of Tyler rose growers, whose efforts helped build the city's international reputation and contributed to the movement that led to the rose being recognized as America's national floral emblem. This enduring symbol reflects Tyler's rich heritage and its ongoing growth.
The next phase for the Bronze Rose involves continued engineering and fabrication, with the council aiming for a dedication in fall 2027.
