A number of Western art shows and sales have been canceled, but works are still available via websites.
Western artists typically rely on public art shows and sales for part of their income, and museums rely on guests to stay open. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many plans this spring, among them art events.
However, many galleries or event organizers have taken their shows online this spring, allowing art enthusiasts to view and purchase—or bid on—works.
We’ve rounded up a list of online events that you can enjoy from the comfort and safety of your home.
The Desert Caballeros Museum in Wickenburg, Arizona, hosts “Cowgirl Up! Art from the Other Half of the West” online and through private showings this year. The festivities have been canceled, but March 27-29—which would have been opening weekend—will be devoted to private showings by appointment.
The show features works in acrylic, oil, ink, pastel, watercolor and sculpture. Featured artists include Sherry Cobb, Amanda Cowan, Ann Hanson and Julie Nighswonger.
Beginning March 30, the museum will be taking reservations for the viewing and purchasing of the “Cowgirl Up!” art, and the online show will launch. Bidding will still be available by phone; contact Deputy Director and Curator Mary Ann Igna for more information.
For information and to view the works, click here.
The Briscoe Western Art Museum’s Night of the Artists has moved online this year. The exhibition and sale begins March 27 and goes through July 26.
Night of Artists is an annual event that focuses on premier Western artists and collectors at the San Antonio, Texas, museum. Almost 300 works of painting, sculpture and mixed media are included, and 80 artists’ works are featured.
Artwork is available for viewing here.
Works may be purchased for a “buy-now” price through the website. Artists include William Alther, Mary Ross Buchholz, Teresa Elliott, Abigail Gutting, Mark Kohler and Jan Mapes.
For details, visit the Briscoe Museum’s website.
Scottsdale’s Museum of the West in Scottsdale, Arizona, and the Cowboy Artists of America have gone online with The Gathering: CAA’s Annual Western Miniatures Sale.
The “luck-of-the-draw” sale requires prospective buyers to fill out an absentee intent-to-purchase form online. The forms must be received by April 1, and the drawing takes place April 2. Any works not sold will be available on the website.
The sale features works by CAA artists including Wayne Baize, Teal Blake, Tom Browning, Martine Grelle, Grant Redden and Jason Rich. From paintings to bronzes, all of the art is small in size.
Information about the sale, along with photos of the featured art, can be found here.
“While it is appreciated that some of the most moving experiences in the museum scene occur when there are large crowds of guests, it is now the responsibility of our museum and the CAA organization to take these cautionary and preventive steps to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” said Mike Fox, museum director and Martin Grelle, CAA Sale Exhibit chair. “Our two organizations are concerned for the health and safety of our dear collectors and friends, and based on national recommendations we have made the difficult decision to change this year’s ‘The Gathering’ to an online sale only. We look forward with great excitement to realizing success in this socially responsible manner this year and to having next year’s event as it was intended to be and seeing everyone in person there in 2021!”
Although the Mountain Oyster Club Honorary Members Show reception and sale in Tucson, Arizona, has been canceled, the event’s first online show and sale features works by 45 artists. Among those featured are Buckeye Blake, Shawn Cameron, Deborah Copenhaver Fellows, Bill Nebeker and R.W. Riddick.
Art can be viewed at the Mountain Oyster Club website through May 8. Prospective buyers must mail a completed intent-to-purchase form with a check. A drawing will be held to determine the winner on art that receives multiple bids. Following the drawing on April 30, remaining pieces will be available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis.
With the closing of Sul Ross State University and the Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine, Texas, due to the pandemic, the annual Trappings of Texas Exhibit and Sale will be held online this year.
The popular Western art and custom cowboy gear exhibition showcases the works of both established and up-and-coming artists. The 2020 Premier Artist is Brian Asher. Works range from silver jewelry, braided rawhide gear and spurs to paintings.
Works will be posted at here starting April 16. Purchases support both the artists and the museum.
For more information and resources on coronavirus, check out Western Horseman‘s “A Horseman’s Guide to COVID-19.”
