Meet the artist

I’m Tony “TR” Chytka, born and raised in Yankton, South Dakota. Growing up on a small farm west of town with my folks, Tony and Nory, and my five brothers, life was all about hard work and rodeo. From as far back as I can remember, I knew two things: I loved working with my hands, and I loved the rodeo.

I’ve been sculpting rodeo life and legends for over 40 years now, but my passion for both goes back even further. My first real taste of art came during Friday afternoons in a one-room schoolhouse. There weren’t many of us, but we had art class, and that’s where it all started for me. By the time I hit high school, I’d fallen in love with sculpting—watching flat, two-dimensional drawings rise up into something real. Seeing that first sculpture stand on its own feet was all it took. From that moment on, I was hooked.

The early days were humble. I was working with whatever I could get my hands on—mostly fired clay. But, as time went on, I got drawn into the world of bronze casting. I was fascinated by how you could turn something as fragile as wax into solid metal—a sculpture that would last.

After high school, I landed a rodeo scholarship at Southern State College, and eventually made my way to Black Hills State University in Spearfish, where I graduated with an art degree. By that time, I was dead set on sculpting rodeo and western scenes. In 1984, I took a big step and opened my own foundry—handling every part of the process myself, from the clay model to the final pour.

These days, I’m working out of my studio near Belle Fourche, creating pieces that honor the legends of rodeo. My sculptures can be found across the country, from the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs to the Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center in Fort Pierre. There’s even a 3/4-size bronze sitting in the Lehi, Utah roundabout. And every year, I’m proud to create awards for events like the National Finals Rodeo and the PBR Finals.

I spent a good chunk of my younger years competing in rodeo myself. I rode bulls and broncs, making my way through junior rodeos, high school events, and eventually pro rodeo. I even managed to grab the Badlands Circuit Bull Riding Championship in 1980. Let me tell you, it wasn’t without its bumps and bruises—I’ve broken more than a few ribs and spent my fair share of time in the hospital. But looking back, I wouldn’t trade a minute of it. That’s where I found my stories, and that’s what drives my art today.

Now, I live in Belle Fourche with my wife, Paige, and our kids, where I still mix my love of farming, ranching, and sculpting. Every piece I create is a piece of my life—a record of the cowboys, broncs, and stories that have shaped me. If you’re interested in learning more or commissioning a custom bronze, feel free to reach out. I’ll be here, workin’ on the next piece that tells another part of our western story.

My sculptures can be found across the country, from the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs to the Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center in Fort Pierre. There’s even a 3/4-size bronze in the Lehi, Utah roundabout. If you’re curious about how each piece is made, you can check out the detailed process here.

A Rodeo Life in Bronze: Self-Portrait

Every sculpture I create tells a story, and some stories hit closer to home than others. One of my most personal pieces, Self-Portrait, captures a moment from my own rodeo career—riding at the St. Onge Rodeo. This bronze represents not just a memory of those days in the arena, but the grit and determination it takes to ride. Take a look through the gallery below, where you’ll see how I brought this story to life through bronze. From the early clay model to the final sculpture, it’s a piece that reflects both my love for rodeo and the art that’s become a part of my life.