Show Preview | Phippen Museum: Western Art Show & Sale

Prescott, AZ
Prescott Courthouse Plaza, May 25-27

Krystii Melaine, Day of Battle, oil, 14 x 11.

This story was featured in the May 2013 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Order the Southwest Art May 2013 print issue, or get the Southwest Art May 2013 digital download now…Or better yet, just subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss a story!

The Phippen Museum’s annual Western Art Show & Sale has been a signature Memorial Day weekend event in Prescott, AZ, since 1974. The show brings together established and emerging western artists, art enthusiasts, and collectors from all over the country for what the museum’s Edd Kellerman describes as a “celebration of the art and rich heritage of the American West.”

The 39th annual show takes place May 25-27 at the historic Prescott Courthouse Plaza, where more than 90 artists display western-themed works in oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, drawing, mixed media, and sculpture. This year’s participating artists include Sarah Phippen, Edward Aldrich, Steven Lang, Krystii Melaine, Ed Mell, Denis Milhomme, and Robert Peters. Event hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday. Admission to the event and the museum is free all weekend.

Another exciting aspect of this year’s show is the 10th anniversary of the museum’s invitational Miniature Masterpieces Show & Sale, which features small works by 70 leading western artists—including Kathy Quick Anderson, Sophy Brown, G. Russell Case, Nancy Dunlop Cawdrey, John Coleman, Donna Howell-Sickles, Doug Hyde, and Z.S. Liang. Selected works can be viewed at the museum and on its website beginning May 1, and a sale-by-draw takes place at 11 a.m. on May 27. Interested collectors should visit or contact the museum between May 1 and May 27 to submit an intent-to-purchase slip.

Denis Milhomme, Fall Colors, oil, 8 x 10.

Numerous events are scheduled throughout the weekend, including the ever-popular Quick Draws, which take place on the north steps of the courthouse at 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. The 15 to 20 participating artists have just 60 minutes to create a new piece in front of enthusiastic onlookers. As soon as the allotted time is up, the fresh pieces are auctioned off to the highest bidder  in the crowd.

Other events include a ticketed dinner and live auction at the Hassayampa Inn on Saturday and an awards ceremony on the courthouse steps at 11 a.m. on Sunday. Awards are given for first, second, and third place in each of the seven mediums, as well as the George Phippen Memorial Foundation Award and the Phippen  Family Award.

Kellerman is proud of the museum’s 39-year history of success with the Western Art Show & Sale. “This show is especially noteworthy for the outstanding group of museum staff and volunteers who take great pride in dedicating their time and effort toward producing one of the nation’s top outdoor western art shows,” he says. “We always look forward to seeing old friends with new art, new friends with a different perspective, and, in general, a great group of artists and visitors who thoroughly enjoy the culture and talent involved in creating western art today.” —Lindsay Mitchell

contact information
928.778.1385
 www.phippenartmuseum.org

Featured in the May 2013 issue of Southwest Art magazine–click below to purchase:
Southwest Art May 2013 digital download
Southwest Art May 2013 print issue
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