One Broom at a Time
Artisan crafts beautiful and historical tool
DAVID STEPHENS
Ron Cox , a Fort Davis native , hand makes old-fashioned brooms following a method that began over 300 years ago . Cox has been making brooms in the area since 2000 , officially opening his shop in 2005 . His main ingredient is a material called sorghum , more commonly known as " broom corn ." Sorghum was popularized in 1797 by Levi Dickenson of Massachusetts , who made the first sorghum broom for his wife . She was tired of her brooms falling apart after a few uses . Broom corn proved to be a much more durable material than straw , and retained its quality for years after it was made .
Over the years Cox has mastered his art . He can make up to a thousand brooms a month depending on demand . He selects material for the shaft using cedar , yucca , cholla , or pecan wood . He then pedals a piece of equipment that rotates the broom ' s shaft while tying bundles of broom corn to the head with wire . Once firmly in place , Cox trims away stray pieces of broom corn and weaves in a colorful yarn pattern before securing it all with a well-placed nail .
Each broom is unique . The variety of shafts and colorful thread patterns ensures that no two brooms are alike . They are beautiful to look at , and will last for years , both as a decoration or a practical household item .
Be sure to stop by Cox ' s shop in Fort Davis to see him execute his timeless craft . He is always happy to demonstrate how it ' s done . Read more at GalleriesArtists . com BB
TOP - Ron Cox , custom broom maker , beginning the process . BOTTOM - Wiring the broom corn to the handle .
TOP - The finished product . BOTTOM - Gathering the broom corn .
NEWS & EVENTS
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LEFT - Annie Get Your Gun ( 2006 ) ABOVE - Anything Goes ( 2012 )
7 / THEATER OF THE BIG BEND Theater of the Big Bend , affiliated with Sul Ross State University ’ s Fine Arts and Communication Department , has provided summer repertory theater at the Kokernot Outdoor Theater since 1970 . Over the past fortyeight years , 188 productions for a total of 1,145 performances have been presented .
The Sul Ross theatre program productions throughout the year are varied and broad and include musicals , comedies , dramas , classical works and children ’ s plays . The Theatre of the Big Bend presents an annual musical and bilingual theatre production serving both local patrons and tourists from around the region .
The summer theatre ’ s repertoire now includes a focus on works of cultural significance as well as classic musical theatre entertainment . This year ’ s season will provide a fun-filled evening of musical comedy with Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine ’ s critically acclaimed Into the Woods performing June 20 – July 6 . The 49th season will also feature the fifth annual Pueblo Unido festival and the beginning of the SRSU Latino Theatre Institute partnering with award winning playwright Octavio Solis . For the season schedule or advanced tickets , check the website www . sulross . edu / tobb .
BIG BEND GALLERIES AND ARTISTS / 2013-2014 17