Show Preview | Western Art Show

Calgary, Canada
BMO Centre, July 4-13

Julie Chapman, Freedom, oil, 24 x 24.

This story was featured in the June 2014 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art June 2014 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story!

The annual Calgary Stampede rodeo has been exhibiting western art in some form since its inception more than 100 years ago. Today this tradition has evolved into western Canada’s largest western art show, featuring hundreds of artists whose work is indicative of the heritage and grandeur of the West. The 33rd annual Western Art Show takes place July 4-13 in halls D and E of the BMO Centre at Stampede Park. Artwork is exhibited and sold in five settings: the Artist Ranch Project, Artists’ Studios, the Western Photo Gallery, the Western Art Gallery, and the Western Art Auction.

The Artist Ranch Project features works by five artists selected by a jury to participate in a short residency program on a historic ranch. This year’s Artists’ Studios feature 59 juried artists who work in acrylic, oil, bronze, stone, mixed media, and photography. Each artist is given a 16-by-20-foot space where they can show their work in a studio-like setting. “The Artists’ Studios highlight traditional western art that expresses the values of our land and history, as well as more contemporary expressions of the West,” says committee chair Dorothy Woolstencroft.

This year’s Western Photo Gallery features 75 images juried from 558 submissions, while the Western Art Gallery features more than 150 works juried from more than 850 entries. The selected pieces were created in a variety of mediums and range in style from traditional to contemporary and representational to abstract. “Each year the Western Art Gallery attracts up-and-coming artists of increasingly higher talent levels, while prices continue to be very accessible,” says committee chair Sandra Sweet. “We take great pleasure in making owning original art attainable,” she adds.

Another place to get great deals on artwork is at the popular Western Art Auction, which begins at 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 10. Both in-person and online bidding options are available for the first time this year. The auction is known for being highly competitive, and this year is sure to impress collectors once again—the 64 pieces up for bid include works by Harley Brown, David Mensing, Neil  Patterson, and other prominent western artists. —Lindsay Mitchell

contact information
www.westernshowcase.com

Featured in the June 2014 issue of Southwest Art magazine–click below to purchase:
Southwest Art June 2014 print issue or digital download Or subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss a story!