Museum of the Big Bend, Alpine, TX
September 15-November 5
Phil Epp, Along the Tracks II, acrylic, 2 x 6 feet..
Celebrating western art and cowboy culture for the 36th year in a row, the Trappings of Texas exhibition and sale takes place this September in the heart of West Texas ranching country at the Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine. Visitors to the museum have the chance to peruse and purchase more than 90 pieces of artwork and objects, including custom cowboy gear, jewelry, and fine art from 32 contemporary western artists. Participants include Mikel Donahue, Kathryn Leitner, Tim Oliver, Kim Mackey, Sarah Harless, and Chessney Sevier. This year’s Premier Artist is Phil Epp, a painter and member of the Cowboy Artists of America who hails from Kansas.
Etchings and drawings, as well as oil, acrylic, and watercolor paintings, are on display, with subjects including cowboys, Indians, livestock, wildlife, and western landscapes. The works are for sale in a fixed-price drawing during the Grand Opening on the evening of Friday, September 16. Before that, though, there’s a preview party on Thursday evening, as well as daytime artists’ demonstrations on the museum’s front porch on Friday. Works are also available to view and purchase by proxy on the museum’s website.
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- Kim Mackey, Comanches!, oil, 16 x 20.
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- Valerie Coe, Punchy, watercolor, 14 x 11.
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- Lindy Cook Severns, Breathing Space, pastel, 19 x 27.
The Trappings planning committee has brought back a popular element of the event this year for Saturday evening. “We’re excited to reintroduce the Ranch Roundup party, where guests have the opportunity to venture onto a local private ranch and wind up their weekend of all things cowboy,” says museum director Mary Bones. “The Ranch Roundup features a cocktail hour, live music, an auction, and a fantastic meal, all under the vast West Texas sky. It’s a great opportunity to visit with the artists alongside other collectors and new friends our guests have made during the weekend.”
Bones encourages both Trappings of Texas regulars and newcomers to mark their calendars for this not-to-be-missed event. “Be prepared to be immersed in cowboy culture and art during a full weekend of events at the Museum of the Big Bend,” she says. “Not only can you view and purchase fine art, jewelry, and custom cowboy gear, but you can also meet the artists who created it.” —Allison Malafronte
contact information
432.837.8145
www.museumofthebigbend.com
This story appeared in the August/September 2022 issue of Southwest Art magazine.