Bill Allison, Saddle Maker, Roundup, Montana by Loren Entz
I just returned from the Cowboy Artists of America’s 46th annual exhibition and sale, which was held this year at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City for the first time since the early 1970s. This year the show coincided with the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association’s 13th annual exhibition and sale, featuring exquisite handmade saddles, bits, spurs, and other cowboy gear.
As usual, the CA’s handed out a full roster of awards. Loren Entz was one of the night’s biggest winners, taking home the gold medal for oils, the silver for drawing, the Stetson artists’ choice award for best overall exhibition, and the Ray Swanson Memorial Award.
The new Anne Marion Best of Show award—presented by Marion herself—as well as the gold medal for sculpture went to John Coleman for his imposing 8-foot-long piece titled 1876—GALL, SITTING BULL, CRAZY HORSE.
The CA’s welcomed three new members in their ranks this year: painters Jason Rich and John Jarvis and sculptor Jason Scull. Combined sales of fine art and fine cowboy gear totaled $2.2 million on opening night. –Kristin Hoerth