The Cowboy Artists of America moved their annual show and sale to Fort Worth, Texas, and the event was a grand success.

The 54th Annual Cowboy Artists of America Sale and Exhibition was held in Fort Worth, Texas, November 1–2, 2019. After spending many years in Phoenix, Arizona, and then more recently in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the show was moved to Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth.

Current president Teal Blake said the move proved to be a success for multiple reasons, adding that the city’s strong ties to the cattle and horse industries made it a natural location. In addition to the historic Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, the city hosts many premier events sanctioned by the American Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association, National Cutting Horse Association and National Reined Cow Horse Association, among others.

“Fort Worth is a cowtown, and it’s a Western town,” Blake said. “It’s a convergence of a lot of people who come for different [equine] events. And with the culture here included, it seemed like a good fit. It’s been a warm welcome. We’re tickled to be here.”

Cowboy sculpture Bruce Greene stands next to his piece at the annual CAA sale in Fort Worth, Texas.
Bruce Greene’s bronze, While Ridin’ the Canyon Rim, won the Anne Marion Best of Show award. Photo by Ross Hecox

The paintings, sketches, bronzes and other pieces of artwork were created by 23 member artists. According to CAA, 76 percent of those pieces sold for a total of nearly $1 million.

In addition to the sale, the event included art demonstrations, poster signings, and an awards luncheon. At the luncheon, young artist Reagan Stephens of Weatherford, Oklahoma, accepted a scholarship for winning the Western Horseman/Cowboy Artists of America Youth Art Contest. Awards were also given for outstanding works of art entered in the show, and Bruce Greene’s bronze While Ridin’ the Canyon Rim won the Anne Marion Best of Show award. It sold for $18,500.

CAA president Teal Blake says moving to Fort Worth was a good decision.
Current CAA President Teal Blake says Fort Worth, Texas, is a good fit for his organization’s annual sale and show. Photo by Ross Hecox

Western Horseman has featured CAA artwork on its covers for decades. Current CAA members whose work has appeared on the magazine’s first page include Greene, Wayne Baize, Tom Browning, Mikel Donahue, Clark Kelley Price, R.S. Riddick and Jason Rich. Rich’s painting, Horseback on Coldwater Ranch, graced the cover of the September 2019 issue.

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