What is the Willie Nelson Bronze Sculpture and where is it located?

The Willie Nelson Bronze Sculpture is an eight-foot, one-ton bronze statue of singer-songwriter Willie Nelson. It is located in Downtown Austin, Texas, in a public plaza at the corner of West 2nd and Lavaca Streets, right outside the entrance of the Moody Theater.

Who created the sculpture and how was it funded?

The statue was designed by Philadelphia-based artist Clete Shields. It was commissioned in 2010 and gifted by the nonprofit organization Capital Area Statues.

What does the statue look like?

The larger-than-life bronze statue depicts Willie Nelson in a relaxed pose, perched on a stool. He is shown holding his acoustic guitar, Trigger, slung under his left arm.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Willie Nelson Bronze Sculpture in Austin

Willie Nelson Bronze Sculpture

Located in downtown Austin at the entrance of the Moody Theater, this impressive eight-foot bronze sculpture honors country music legend Willie Nelson, depicting him relaxed on a stool with his famous guitar, Trigger.

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When was the statue unveiled and what was the significance of the timing?

The statue was unveiled on April 20, 2012, at 4:20 p.m. with Willie Nelson in attendance. While the 4:20 time on 4/20 was noted by many as a wink to Nelson's reputation as a stoner, the president of Capital Area Statues called the timing a 'complete and utter coincidence' that conveniently aligned with Nelson's schedule to perform a tribute concert that night.

What to know

The Willie Nelson Bronze Sculpture is a prominent public artwork located in Downtown Austin, Texas. Standing at the entrance of the Moody Theater at the corner of West Second and Lavaca streets, this larger-than-life monument stands eight feet tall and weighs approximately one ton. The bronze sculpture depicts the legendary country singer-songwriter in a relaxed pose, perched on a stool with his iconic acoustic guitar, Trigger, slung under his left arm. The sculpture was commissioned in 2010 by the nonprofit organization Capital Area Statues as a gift to the city. It was designed and created by Philadelphia-based sculptor Clete Shields. Around the same time, upon learning of the plans for the statue, Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell proposed renaming a portion of Second Street to Willie Nelson Boulevard to honor the musician's deep ties to the city. The statue was officially dedicated in a public plaza on April 20, 2012, with Willie Nelson himself in attendance. Famously, the unveiling took place at exactly 4:20 p.m. While many observers noted the date and time as a cheeky, winking tribute to Nelson's well-known reputation as a cannabis enthusiast, Lawrence Wright, the president of Capital Area Statues, publicly insisted that the 4:20 p.m. timing was a complete and utter coincidence. The location of the statue is highly symbolic, standing outside the Moody Theater, which was built in 2011 within the W Austin Hotel and Residences as the new home for the PBS series Austin City Limits. The timing of the unveiling on April 20 was highly convenient, as it coincided with a performance by Nelson and Kris Kristofferson, who were scheduled to play a Johnny Cash tribute concert for Austin City Limits that very night.

Visitor tips

Find the statue at the public plaza located at the corner of West 2nd and Lavaca Streets.
Look closely at the sculpture to spot Willie's famous acoustic guitar, Trigger, tucked under his left arm.
Combine your visit with a show at the adjacent Moody Theater, the home of Austin City Limits.

Nearby context

Located in the heart of Downtown Austin, the Willie Nelson Bronze Sculpture sits on a street portion proposed to be renamed Willie Nelson Boulevard, right outside the Moody Theater. This vibrant area is a hub for Austin's legendary music scene. Walking through this neighborhood, you can easily connect to other iconic public art pieces, such as the Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue located nearby, or explore local history by visiting the site of Austin's first skyscraper at Sixth and Congress.

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