Prix de West Sales Top $3 Million
Excitement was high at the 33rd annual Prix de West Invitational show, held in June at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Record-breaking crowds were in attendance, and more than $3.1 million worth of art was sold on opening night, a significant increase over last year’s $2.6 million total. A highlight of the banquet was the auction of 10 works donated by Prix de West artists. Frenzied bidding resulted in total sales of more than $221,000, capped off by a Bob Kuhn painting that sold for a stunning $90,000. Oreland Joe’s popular marble sculpture buffalo sunrise won the Prix de West Purchase Award. Loren Entz won the award for the best group of works exhibited, as chosen by the participating artists. Walt Matia won the sculpture award for his bronze promises of spring; Dennis Doheny, a first-time participant, won the painting award for his oil winter’s approach; Jim Morgan won the wildlife award for his painting courting sandhill cranes and killdeer; and Mehl Lawson won the cowboy award for his bronze roundup. The Buyer’s Choice Award went to Martin Grelle for dust in the distance.
Out & About
A beaded bandolier bag by Martha Berry (Cherokee) received the People’s Choice award at the 2006 Art Under the Oaks show at the Five Civilized Tribes Museum in Muskogee, OK, in May…. Robert Krogle’s painting stormy ride won Best of Show in the oil painting category at the 34th annual Ellensburg National Art Show & Auction in Ellensburg, WA…. Altermann Galleries & Auctioneers recently opened their newest gallery at 22 East 72nd Street, New York, NY…. Wildlife artist and conservationist David Shepherd was recently awarded the first annual Simon Combes Conservation Award by the Worldwide Nature Artists Group at the Hiram Blauvelt Museum in Oradell, NJ…. Sotheby’s made auction history in May when a masterpiece by famed Mexican artist Frida Kahlo sold for over $5.6 million, setting a new auction record for the artist and for Latin American art.
Salon International Top Honors
Zin Lim received top honors at the Salon International juried exhibition at Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art in San Antonio, TX, in May. Lim was awarded Best of Show and $8,000 for his piece figure no. 12. Second place, a $4,000 award, went to Arsen Kurbanov for evening light, and third place and $2,000 was awarded to Tong Luo for morning in tibet. Merit awards were given to Armand Cabrera for first light sierras, Lefu Gu for musing, Scott Royston for white african irises, and Tong Luo for golden age. Elizabeth Wiltzen won the Southwest Art Magazine Award of Excellence for her painting first light—city of rocks.
In Memoriam
In June, renowned Latino artist Luis Jimenez died in a tragic accident at the age of 65. The Texas native was killed while working in his Hondo, NM, studio when a 32-foot-tall sculpture titled the mustang fell on him in transit, severing an artery in his leg. Jimenez was close to completing the sculpture, which was destined for installation at the Denver International Airport. Jimenez was known for his large-scale public sculptures, which often incorporated Chicano-American themes.
Carmel Art Festival Winners
At the Carmel Art Festival in May, Kevin Courter won over $5,000, Best of Show, and the Mayor’s Choice award for his painting cypress serenade, which later sold at auction for $3,600. Several other prizes were awarded, including second place and $2,500 to Lynn Gertenbach for estuary at elkhorn. Third place and $1,000 was awarded to Ray Carpenter for virgin on the shore. Gerald Martin received over $2,000 and both the Best Local Artist and Emerging Artist awards. Terri Ford won two $750 awards for Best Pastel and the People’s Choice award for her painting carmel beach dunes. Larry Moore received $1,250 and honorable mention for his Artist’s Choice pick evening at lobos. clearing skies by Roland Macedo was the $750 Quick Draw winner. Best Oil and Acrylic and $750 went to Donald Neff’s garrapata colors.
Featured in August 2006