Phippen Museum, Prescott, AZ
May 29-31
Mikel Donahue, Cowboy Tech, acrylic, 9 x 13, from Miniature Masterpieces 2021.
On Memorial Day weekend, the Phippen Museum celebrates nearly 50 years of its annual Western Art Show & Sale by returning to downtown Prescott for three days of fine-art festivities. The event, which began as a fund-raiser in 1974 and led to the founding of the museum, was conceived to continue the legacy of local western artist George Phippen (1915-1966), an accomplished painter and sculptor who had a lifelong reverence for the beauty and history of western art. In his spirit, the museum is dedicated to promoting and presenting exemplary art of the American West while also providing opportunities for up-and-coming talent.
Artists from across the country who specialize in western subject matter and who work in oil, acrylic, watercolor, sculpture, pastel, drawing media, and mixed media submitted entries to exhibit in this year’s show, and approximately 90 were selected by a blind jury. Edd Kellerman, the museum’s executive director, anticipates more than 500 works available for sale on the Yavapai County Courthouse plaza and a joyful return to the show’s outdoor tradition.
-
- Wei Tai, Tommy, charcoal, 40 x 30, from the 2020 show.
-
- Cecilia McGuire, Saved From the Storm, bronze, 11 x 11 x 7, from the 2020 show.
-
- Kinsey Artfitch, Maizie, mixed media, 36 x 26, from the 2020 show.
“Our Western Art Show & Sale has a long, successful history and is a staple in the community, so converting to an online-only event in 2020 was certainly a change,” Kellerman says. “Although we cannot yet reintroduce some of our larger secondary events, this year we are looking forward to getting back to our roots by concentrating on the show on the plaza and providing a safe, welcoming atmosphere where friends, family, artists, collectors, and the public can appreciate and support great western art together.”
The artists’ booths are open daily during the three-day weekend. Art lovers can visit the booths, get to know the artists, and purchase artworks directly from them during that time. Some of the artists do impromptu demonstrations and talks throughout the weekend, as well.
-
- Lorenzo Cassa, Summer Breeze, oil, 18 x 24, from the 2020 show.
-
- Linda Glover Gooch, Into the Sunset, oil, 8 x 8, from Miniature Masterpieces 2021.
-
- Perri Duncan, Loving Hand, watercolor, 24 x 31, from the 2020 show.
-
- Carolyn Parker, Monsoons Over Rio Grande National Forest, pastel, 16 x 20, from the 2020 show.
-
- Jerry Bokowski, Approaching Shoshone, acrylic, 48 x 72, from the 2020 show.
In addition to the outdoor show, two complementary exhibitions offering small-scale works are on view inside the museum beginning with a reception on Saturday, May 1. The fifth annual Phippen Award Winners PAWs: Small Works to Go features pieces from artists who have won awards at the past three editions of the Western Art Show; works are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The 18th annual Miniature Masterpiece Show & Sale, a popular sale-by-draw event, showcases more than 70 small works by artists participating in this year’s Western Art Show; the drawing takes place on Monday, May 31. The small works in both exhibitions are also available for online viewing on the Phippen’s website. –Allison Malafronte
contact information
928.778.1385
www.phippenartmuseum.org
This story appeared in the May 2021 issue of Southwest Art magazine.