A Santa Ynez Valley man who turned local stone into incredible sculptures and opened what was believed to be the first art gallery in Los Olivos decades ago has been remembered for his talents and his role mentoring others.
Self-taught sculptor John Cody, 76, died Oct. 7 after battling prostate cancer since 2020 and learning earlier this year that it had metastasized to his bones.
Cody’s artwork can be found in private collections and public spaces, including a condor at the Santa Maria Court Complex, a dolphin in front of the Natural History Museum of Santa Maria and a fallen aerial firefighter in front of a fire station in Pacoima.
“John lived a big life,” said Esther Jacobsen Bates, former executive director of the Elveroj Museum of History and Art.
In 2019, paintings by Eyvind Earle along with Cody’s sculptures were featured in the Crossing Paths exhibition at the Solvang museum.
“His art reflected the rugged grace of the Santa Ynez Valley — timeless, resilient and deeply soulful. My invitation for an exhibition in 2019 brought him out of a self-imposed retirement. Watching him return to sculpting and seeing that spark reignite was one of the most meaningful experiences of my career,” she said.
“It became more than an exhibition; it was a homecoming — when artist, place and community came together.”
His works include a sculpture of a football to remember the late Jeff Rio at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School and a soccer ball monument to remember a Solvang School student who died.
Several pieces of Cody’s work sit in the Ballard Cemetery as headstones, so many that the family has referred to it as Cody’s gallery.
A popular piece of Cody’s art stood near the Kingdom of the Dinosaurs attraction at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park and later found a new home at the park’s Camp Snoopy before seemingly going extinct, much to the dismay of fans.
Social media posts popped up periodically, including a month ago, asking, “What ever happened to Rocko?”
It turns out that Rocko the triceratops dinosaur has a new home at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, one user posted after comparing images.
A Gilroy Gardens representative confirmed to Noozhawk recently that the sculpture sits on display along the midway near The Green Barn, where guests can explore science, nature and art.
Guests to the nonprofit Gilroy Gardens, especially children, enjoy Rocko, according to Trevor Wilson, vice president of marketing.
“We believe Rocko helps to enhance our educational mission from a natural sciences perspective as well as to inspire artistic expression,” Wilson said.
Cody’s art may have traveled, but his heart remained in his adopted home of the Santa Ynez Valley, sharing his talents in different ways.
After growing up on the East Coast, Cody arrived in the Santa Ynez Valley six decades ago and immediately fell in love with the local environment.
A common medium for Cody to craft this sculptures involved serpentine rock he found in the mountains of the Santa Ynez Valley.
In 1976, his family said, he established Cody Gallery in Los Olivos, “the community’s first art gallery which operated for 35 years.”
“He mentored hundreds of children throughout the years, sharing his kindness and generosity. During the ’90s, he ran an art studio at Midland School, donating his time to guide and mentor young artists,” his family said.
He also built his home in the remote mountains of Los Padres National Forest above the Santa Ynez Valley, showcasing his artistic skills with river rock, lumber and handcrafted details, his family said.
In recent years, he worked alongside Emily Cody in her business, Manzana Masonry.
Along with his “awesome sense of humor,” daughter Emily Cody recalled her father’s soul, spirit and energy — ready to help anyone in need.
“Known affectionately as Papa John, he has touched countless lives in the Santa Ynez Valley by helping those in need and opening his doors to many, changing lives for the better,” his family said in a GoFundMe page started earlier this year.
Survivors include his children, Anna Cody, Emily Cody, Quinn Cody, Flynt Cody and Kelly Cody, as well as his eight grandchildren.
Family members recently finalized plans for a celebration of life set for noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 22 at Montanero Farms, 2531 Grand Ave. in Los Olivos. To confirm attendance, RSVP by sending an email to Anna Cody at annacody99@gmail.com.