National Western Complex, Denver, CO
January 4-23
Karen Roehl, Horse of a Different Color, water-based medium, 36 x 48.
The annual Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale, the highly anticipated kickoff of the contemporary western art world’s new year, returns in full force with a “new normal” after the pandemic forced the postponement of last year’s National Western Stock Show. Subsequently, the exhibition moved exclusively online, and, fortunately, went “amazingly well,” says curator Rose Fredrick. “People really came out to participate and purchase art virtually.”
While Fredrick and crew plan to incorporate a component of last year’s virtual experience into the upcoming event, they’re understandably thrilled to bring the show back to its home at the National Western Complex in Denver, CO, as part of the National Western Stock Show. “The unique fine art exhibition features nationally and internationally known museum-caliber artists who are living and working in the West or are responding to the West,” Fredrick says. “It’s so extremely authentic, too, as one of our unique responsibilities during the run of the show is to keep the front entrance carpet cleared of straw. I can’t imagine another show that experiences that. It’s this beautiful gallery that almost always has the scent of livestock,” she adds with a laugh.
- Nancy Bass, At the Museum (After Hopper), oil, 30 x 40.
- Monte Yellow Bird Sr. (Black Pinto Horse), Onward to Victory, colored pencil/ink, 17 x 13.
- Silas Thompson, Final Bow, oil, 20 x 40.
As a precursor to last year’s event, Fredrick hosted Inside the Artist’s Studio Zoom video talks that provided exclusive access into artists’ creative spaces, three in each session. These online artist/curator chats proved so popular that Fredrick received fan mail from enthusiastic attendees. She plans to host a fresh round of not-to-be-missed live discussions in December as a lead-up to the January event. (Check the event website or sign up for the online newsletter for registration details about the free talks. Recordings are subsequently posted on the site.)
In-person events debut with a Young Guns Reception on Thursday, December 9, at which emerging artists’ work are exclusively available for preview and advance purchase. Young Guns is a group comprised of younger patrons focused on art education and philanthropy. The opening Red Carpet Reception officially kicks off the event on the evening of Tuesday, January 4, during which the artists’ large works are sold by fixed-price drawing and their smaller works are sold via a silent auction. The exhibition then opens to the public and runs throughout the stock show through January 23.
- Andy Evansen, Colorado Vista, watercolor, 11 x 15.
- Michael Blessing, Anticipated Resolution, oil, 36 x 36.
- Amy Laugesen, Old John, ceramic, 14 x 16 x 5.
This year’s feast for the eyes includes approximately 400 exemplary western-inspired works by 77 established and emerging artists. As in years past, there are several first-time participants, including Nancy Bass, Kim Lordier, Cara Romero, Silas Thompson, and Timothy Standring. Fredrick is particularly delighted to showcase featured artist David Griffin, of Dallas, TX. “David has really come into his own over the last three or four years, really exploring from his heart and his gut, and is creating landscape paintings that are so metaphorical and, in some ways, so prescient,” she says.
- Dan Young, Merge of Seasons, oil, 30 x 40.
- Terry Gardner, Cowboy Morning, oil, 30 x 24.
- Melanie Yazzie, All Good Around Us, monotype/paint, 36 x 48.
What does Fredrick hope the exhibit accomplishes in its in-person return? “We want to challenge people with art, we want to educate people with art, we want to make people happy with art, but really, we just want to draw them in so they can experience art.” —Beth Williams
contact information
303.291.2567
www.coorswesternart.com
This story appeared in the December 2021/January 2022 issue of Southwest Art magazine.