Cathy Trachok remembers the old rodeo posters hanging in the Nevada Art Supply store from her childhood. In fact, seeing those prints on visits to pick out supplies with her mother is part of what inspired her to become an artist. “I believe art is a simple form of communication, and combining the visuals of the rodeo—cowboys, cowgirls, animals, all doing really cool stuff together—is an art form in itself,” Trachok says.
For more than 40 years Trachok has been an artist, and over those four decades of working in illustration, commercial art, children’s books, and now mostly fine arts, she has designed four Reno Rodeo posters, annual collectible art pieces that are a collaboration between the sitting Rodeo President and an artist of their choosing.
For the 2025 commemorative poster, Trachok traveled to Winnemucca Ranch where the first night of the cattle drive takes place. The assignment was to create a poster based on the event and President Jim Neil’s theme for the year, “A Cowboy State Of Mind.”
Trachok reveled in the atmosphere of the unofficial rodeo kickoff that includes a feast of BBQ delicacies, songs, and camaraderie. It’s a somewhat private celebration before the festivities come to Reno and the greater public. “I had never been before so it was quite exciting for me,” Trachok says.
After attending, Trachok narrowed down her ideas to three small color sketches for Jim to choose from. Together they adjusted until the poster felt just right. And now there are 250 limited run prints for sale to anyone who wants to own a piece of Reno Rodeo history, alongside posters dating back to 1982, although prints do sell out from time to time.
“The rodeo is so much more than just bucking broncos, it is a way of life that showcases all the western ideals that I grew up with—hard work, care of the land and animals, and most importantly, respect for the people who work with their hands,” Trachok shares. “I feel very honored to be chosen to illustrate Jim’s ideas.”
One of the more robust collections of Reno Rodeo art posters is on display at the District Attorney’s Office. Dick Gammick, former district attorney and board member of the Reno Rodeo Foundation, started the collection during his tenure. It has since grown to nine prints.
District Attorney Chris Hicks appreciates the collection that now dons the halls leading to his office. “More recently, we placed informational placards next to the posters that highlight the Reno Rodeo President, poster artist, and history behind the poster for each year,” he shares.
As a fifth-generation Nevadan, Hicks is no stranger to the Reno Rodeo. “Born and raised in Reno, the Reno Rodeo has been a staple in my life as far back as I can remember,” Hicks says. “Some of my fondest memories as a kid are going to the Reno Rodeo Parade with my dad—an event that kicked off the festivities back then—followed by attending multiple nights over the course of the week.”
While walking up to the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center on rodeo nights evokes a very esoteric feeling, seeing the artwork outside of his office each day gives him a sliver of the same excitement. His favorite piece is the 1990 poster featuring legendary bull fighter Leon Coffee, the “Boogie Man,” narrowly dodging a wild bull. “When I was a young kid, my friends and I couldn’t wait for Leon Coffee to compete in the bull fighter events. We always knew something exciting was going to happen.”
Posters aren’t the only way art is celebrated within the Reno Rodeo.
In 2019, Erik Burke was commissioned to create a mural celebrating the 100th anniversary on the rear of the event center the length of Sutro Street from South 10th to Wells Avenue. “It took three months, is 1800-feet long and roughly 15,000 total square-feet,” Burke explains, adding he hired two assistants to finish the job on time. Burke was given the assignment by Clint Wells, the 100 Year Committee Chair based on personal referrals and more than 10 years of experience painting murals in Reno.
Like everything the Reno Rodeo does, an extensive collaborative effort and deep dive into Reno Rodeo history and culture was needed. “From that initial meeting they brought iconic photos, supplemental reading, and stories,” Burke recalls. “I went to a few rodeos as a kid but getting to work on the mural was my first deep dive into rodeo culture.”
The 100th anniversary mural covers the history of the Reno Rodeo chronologically, starting in 1919 and finishing with 2019. “That progression from past to present would also be echoed by a color palette from faint memories in grey, to black and white, then hints of color, followed by pure saturation influenced by the colors of the decades,” he explains. He used belt buckles to create division between each decade with details very specific to the Reno Rodeo. “Each section also has mini-tributes to individuals important to that period of time from rodeo clowns to long-time announcers and bronc riders to pageant winners.”
Strolling through the Livestock Events Center there is more art integration. A metal horseshoe sculpture that made its way from Burning Man is a prominent piece, as is “Strokes of Energy,” a vibrant new mural plastered inside of the indoor arena featuring cowboys, a horse, and a bull and created by Spain-based muralist Jabi Corte. In the background of the Jack Daniels tent, the Harold’s Club Mural hangs, a restored piece of artwork that once hung above Reno’s main drag before it was relocated in 2007 to the Livestock Events Center.
The Reno Rodeo continues to place an emphasis on meaningful western artwork by inviting vendors to the event.
Kathleen Brannon of Desert Sage Bead Art has been participating in the Reno Rodeo for 18 years, selling beadwork that represents her western heritage, an art form that began on reservations, and using ancient symbolism from a myriad of cultures to motivate her patterns. “I handcraft each piece and I personally design each piece—cuffs to belts to headstalls,” she explains. “Some of the most prolific artist[s] live and create in the Western world. From metal sculpture to oil to leather... all are relatable to the Western Lifestyle. The subject matter run from horses, tribal, cowboys, landscapes. Reno Rodeo shows many of these artisans that display the Western lifestyle. Indeed, art is a major part of that relates to the Rodeo world.”
“One aspect of the mural I worked hard on was to be inclusive and show the huge influence of African and Native Americans on rodeo culture." - Erik Burke
“Like so many Washoe County residents, Reno Rodeo nostalgia runs deep with me, and I love taking my kids and reliving the experience through their eyes." - Chris Hicks