Alan Cottrill
 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
Alan Cottrill | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | August 12, 1952 Zanesville, Ohio |
| Occupation | Figurative sculptor |
| Known for | Statue of Thomas Edison in the US Capitol Building, Statuary Hall, Washington, DC |
| Spouse(s) | Diane Holtzapple (m. 1972; div. 1976) Susan K. Long Cottrill (m. 1976–present) |
| Children | 5 |
| Parent(s) | Nelson Frank Cottrill (1933–1993) Mary Jane Henderson (1934–2012) |
| Website | www |
Alan Cottrill is an American sculptor and entrepreneur who created the statue of Thomas Edison, on display in the United States Capitol's National Statuary Hall,[1] and Don Colossus, a 15-foot bronze statue of Donald Trump.[2] He and his wife Susan co-founded the international pizza chain Four Star Pizza.[3]
Career and studio
[edit]Cottrill specializes in large-scale bronze figurative works. Over more than 30 years he has created over 500 life-size or larger monuments installed throughout the United States.
In 1990 Cottrill first worked with clay and soon sold his business interests to pursue sculpture full-time. He studied at the Art Students League and National Academy of Design in New York City and took anatomy courses using cadavers at Columbia Medical Center.
Early life and business career
[edit]Cottrill was born and raised in Zanesville, Ohio. After brief college attendance, U.S. Army service, and truck driving, he entered the fast-food industry. He met his second wife, Susan, while owning Domino's franchises and together they founded Four Star Pizza, which grew into a successful multi-national chain. Business travel on U.S. government trade missions exposed him to major art museums worldwide, sparking his interest in art collecting and painting.[4]
Sculpture career
[edit]In 1990, Cottrill first worked with clay and soon sold his business interests to sculpt full-time. He studied at the Art Students League, National Academy of Design, and anatomy (via cadavers) at Columbia Medical Center in New York City.[4]
Cottrill has created over 500 life-size or larger monuments installed across the United States, including the Thomas Edison statue selected in 2014 for National Statuary Hall (replacing William Allen).[5]
In 2024, Cottrill completed Don Colossus, a 15-foot polished bronze of Donald Trump depicting his raised-fist reaction to the Butler assassination attempt. Commissioned by cryptocurrency supporters for about $400,000, it was intended for display at Trump's second inauguration and a subsequent tour.[6]
References
[edit]- ↑ Rumer, Anna (December 25, 2014). "Ohio sculptor's Edison statue selected for U.S. Capitol". The Enquirer. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
- ↑ Pavia, Will (January 3, 2025). "'Don Colossus': why a 15ft bronze Trump statue will tower over Ohio". The Times. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
- ↑ Metz, Gracie (September 2023). "The Sculpted Visions of Alan Cottrill". Ohio Magazine. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
- 1 2 Metz, Gracie (September 2023). "The Sculpted Visions of Alan Cottrill". Ohio Magazine. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
- ↑ Rumer, Anna (December 25, 2014). "Ohio sculptor's Edison statue selected for U.S. Capitol". The Enquirer. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
- ↑ Pavia, Will (January 3, 2025). "'Don Colossus': why a 15ft bronze Trump statue will tower over Ohio". The Times. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
Further reading
[edit]- "Former Washington man makes life-size sculpture of Edison". Observer-Reporter. January 4, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
- Johnson, Alan (December 23, 2014). "Zanesville sculptor tapped for Edison statue". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
External links
[edit]
 | This article about an American sculptor is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. |