CHEYENNE — WyoLotto added its own chapter to Cheyenne’s public-art story on Aug. 7 with the unveiling of a custom Big Boot sculpture featuring the state-run lottery’s jackalope mascot. The 8-foot boot, created by Laramie artist James Overstreet, stands outside WyoLotto’s remodeled office at 808 W. 20th St. and blends the playful iconography of the lottery with the Cowboy State’s well-known western imagery.
Boot as brand and community marker
The installation serves both as a promotional landmark for Wyoming’s lottery operation and as part of Cheyenne’s broader public-art program that has dotted the city with oversized boot sculptures for years. WyoLotto, which moved to the location about a year ago, commissioned the piece to announce a permanent presence and to celebrate the organization’s ties to local communities across Wyoming.
The sculpture portrays two connected scenes that face different streets: one side shows a cowgirl kicking up dust and a scattering of dollar bills while riding a horse with a sack of winnings; the opposite side features YOLO the Jackalope sporting a pair of black sunglasses. The imagery intentionally combines themes of rural life, playful fantasy and the sense of possibility the lottery pitches to players.
Artist’s prompt and creative brief
As with previous boot commissions, Overstreet received a single direction from organizers: imagine what the boot would say if it could speak. He translated that prompt into a visual narrative meant to embody the lottery’s tagline and mission — an affordable chance to dream while supporting local governments.
“For our players, a lottery ticket is an affordable entertainment that gives them the permission to dream. ‘Just Maybe’ (the WyoLotto tagline) is that exciting feeling of imagining what life could look like if your numbers were drawn,”
The quote, provided in a WyoLotto press release by CEO Jonathan Clontz, underscores the organization’s effort to link the artwork to its message about small, hopeful wagers that also fund local programs.
Community context and reception
Staff and supporters gathered for the morning unveiling, many wearing cowboy and cowgirl boots in a nod to the public-art tradition. Inside the office, YOLO the Jackalope motifs decorate the remodeled workspace; the exterior boot extends that branding into the public realm and invites residents and visitors to interact with a new photo opportunity on the city’s public-art map.
Public-boot projects in Cheyenne have been used to highlight local artists, celebrate community identity and attract foot traffic to downtown businesses. WyoLotto’s sculpture joins those efforts as both an artistic contribution and a promotional statement from a state-chartered enterprise.
- Artist: James Overstreet
- Location: 808 W. 20th St., Cheyenne
- Unveiling: Aug. 7 (morning ceremony)
- Themes: cowgirl/western imagery, jackalope mascot, lottery winnings
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Height | 8 feet |
| Artist | James Overstreet |
| Address | 808 W. 20th St., Cheyenne |
| Theme | Lottery mascot (jackalope), western motifs |
What it means for WyoLotto and Cheyenne
For WyoLotto, the permanent boot is a visual commitment to its Cheyenne base and a way to remind residents that lottery revenue supports local cities, towns and counties. For the city, it adds another stop on an evolving public-art trail that draws tourists and encourages local engagement with downtown spaces.
While the sculpture is lighthearted in tone, it reflects broader trends in community-branding where businesses and public entities invest in art to reinforce identity and invite people into shared civic spaces. The choice of a jackalope — a mythical, regionally playful creature — ties the installation to state folklore and reinforces a uniquely Wyoming twist on a national public-art idea.
The boot will remain on public display outside WyoLotto’s office. Officials and the artist did not announce plans for future events tied to the installation, but the sculpture is expected to become part of local walking tours and informal photo spots for residents and visitors.
Coverage of public art and cultural projects in Cheyenne continues to grow as the city balances downtown development with efforts to preserve and showcase local character. This newest boot adds a distinctly WyoLotto spin to that conversation.
