Eyes on the Prize

 

The varied world of Western art takes center stage at the annual Prix de West in Oklahoma City.

By Norman Kolpas

Among the most widely recognized events held to showcase contemporary Western art, the Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition & Sale—the largest annual fundraiser for the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City—may well sit tallest in the saddle. Superlatives abound for what is “perhaps the most influential art show of its kind in the nation,” according to an essay by historian Bobby Weaver published last year in its 50^th-anniversary catalog.

The oldest continuous gathering of top artists portraying all aspects of the West, past and present, Prix de West marks the beginning of its second half-century when it opens for public viewing on June 2. The almost 300 artworks by this year’s roster of 92 artists, most of whom will attend the gala Art Sale Weekend on June 9 and 10, make it the largest event of its kind. And, year after year, the caliber of paintings, drawings and sculptures on view is exceptional.

“People are blown away by the quality of the art,” says Susan Patterson, the museum’s curator of special exhibits, whose primary responsibility since coming on board before the 2012 show has been to manage the participating artists and their works in coordination with the museum board members who make up its Prix de West Committee. “Each year that I’ve been here,” Patterson continues, “people will say that it’s the best art they’ve ever seen in the show. And that speaks to its consistency.”

Prix de West’s 2023 edition features a host of names familiar to any fan of Western art today, and several of them will even be actively involved in Art Sale Weekend events. That Friday during regular hours, all museum guests are free to attend talks by landscape artist Andrew Peters; Dean Mitchell, whose paintings often capture the timeless beauty of everyday ranching structures; and Z.S. Liang, admired for his historic depictions of Native American life.

Saturday morning features a talk by Kyle Polzin, winner of the 2022 Prix de West Purchase Award for his Trompe l’Oeil painting ROUGH PASSAGE, followed by the presentation of this year’s Purchase Award. In the afternoon, Sherrie McGraw, known for her richly evocative still life paintings, figures and other works, and landscape artist Scott L. Christensen will both give live painting demonstrations.

That evening concludes with a fixed-price sale by drawing of most of the artworks; a gala dinner; the presentation of eight additional awards for best painting, best sculpture, best wildlife art, best cowboy art, best landscape, best work on paper, buyers’ choice and the best grouping of three or more works; and a live auction of another 11 pieces that winning bidders can take home with them immediately. “So, if you didn’t get the piece you wanted in the draw,” says Patterson, “you have the excitement of another opportunity.” All the other works remain on public view through the duration of the show on August 6.

One of the most enthralling aspects of the Prix is the diversity of subjects and styles on display by long-established and up-and-coming artists alike. This year will mark the 47^th showing for painterly landscape and still life artist Walt Gonske, for example, while internationally recognized wildlife sculptor Kent Ullberg is participating for the 45^th time. Both Curt Walters, renowned for his views of the Grand Canyon as well as other subjects, and contemporary Western portraitist Carrie L. Ballantyne first joined the throng in 1998.

Each year, a select handful of new participants are also invited. For 2023 that includes still life artist Daniel J. Keys; Gladys Roldan-de-Moras, who explores the rich Hispanic culture of the American Southwest in her paintings; painter Don Oelze, who brings an original eye to his faithful scenes of Native Americans; and sculptor Peregrine O’Gormley, known for his avian and wildlife works that he carves out of both stone and the wood of naturally fallen trees.

Such fresh perspectives help keep the show feeling as engaging and vital as it first did back in 1973. “What you see,” Patterson sums up, “are the many different stories that come out of every piece of art. The American West is always evolving.” The Prix de West, in its own continuing evolution, both vividly reflects and indelibly adds to those ever-richer historical, cultural and social perspectives.

 

Curt Walters: Paths Less Taken

During Curt Walters’ 26 years in the Prix de West, the artist, who lives in Sedona, Arizona, has taken home an unprecedented 12 awards, including eight Buyers’ Choice prizes, three Frederic Remington Awards for best painting, and—in his very first time there—the Prix de West Purchase Award. Not to mention the fact that he is among the few participants to have won two awards for two different paintings in a single show.

Walters has earned a following for his depictions of the Grand Canyon and other Western landmarks that are prized for their vividly realistic style, frequently large scale and unique perspectives gained by venturing off the well-beaten path to paint studies in plein air. Take, for example, his view of Rainbow Bridge National Monument: “Most people see it for an hour as tourists,” he says. “I rented a houseboat on Lake Powell, spent the night in a nearby cove and took a small boat to see it at sunrise.”

Even AIDE-MÉMOIRE, a far less expected image for Walters, demonstrates his dedication to the path less taken. Depicted is a view of Cholla Power Plant near Joseph City, Arizona, which he has known since childhood. The painting’s brooding beauty is made even more poignant by the fact that its subject is slated for demolition in 2025. “It was important for me to paint this,” notes Walters, “as a way to understand the passage of time.”

 

Carrie L. Ballantyne: Faces of the West

HUMBOLDT COUNTY BUCKAROO, one of Carrie L. Ballantyne’s works in the 2023 Prix de West, portrays a young Nevada cowboy decked out in his working finery. “He’s very traditional, very classy, taking pride in what he does,” says the artist. She continues, “As far back as I can remember, I was intrigued with the human face, with real people and their stories. I wanted to get to know them, to get to their souls.”

Though her talent was evident during her Southern California childhood, she never had serious art training until after moving in her early 20s to Cody, Wyoming, where she met and was mentored by the great portraitist James Bama. Married and homeschooling her daughter and son, she began creating and selling portraits in graphite and, later, colored pencil. Early on, she says, “I knew the Prix de West was the very best art show in the United States. I remember praying to be in it.”

An invitation came in 1997. The following year, she debuted with three colored pencil drawings, all of which sold. Ballantyne continued showing in that medium at Prix de West for almost a decade before taking two years off to master oils; she’s returned each year since. Her work was recognized in 2020 with the Express Ranches Great American Cowboy Award. Notes Susan Patterson, “Ballantyne does a beautiful job portraying the men, women and children of today’s West.”

 

Daniel J. Keys: From the Garden

“I love painting flowers and household things,” says Daniel J. Keys regarding the complex composition of camellias, roses, azaleas, geraniums, citrus fruit, a pewter pitcher, an Asian-style blue-and-white jar, and other objects and plant life he has gathered in the main showpiece, TREASURES, for his debut at Prix de West. At the age of 37, he’s the youngest participant this year, and will also be showing STILL LIFE WITH TINS, CORN AND ACRONS featuring an antique coffee tin, corn and a dried sunflower he grew in the garden of his Fresno, California, home.

A prodigious talent since his teens, Keys started to achieve magazine recognition for his work at the age of 23 including in Southwest Art’s annual “21 Under 31” feature. The self-taught artist also received guidance from, and painted alongside, the great realist painter Richard Schmid, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 86.

Keys was notified of his invitation to be in Prix de West more than a year ago. He visited the 2022 edition to gain a greater sense of where his work would be appearing. “They maintain such a high level of quality and excellence,” he says. “I’m honored and grateful to be along for the ride.”

Norman Kolpas is a Los Angeles-based freelancer who writes for Mountain Living and Colorado Homes & Lifestyles as well as Southwest Art.

This story appeared in the June/July 2023 issue of Southwest Art magazine. 

contact information
(405) 478-2250
pdw.nationalcowboymuseum.org

Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition & Sale – Schedule of Events
The opening weekend, June 9 and 10, of the famed Prix de West is filled with unique opportunities for collectors and art lovers to listen and learn from select exhibiting artists along with vying for the chance to purchase art. The public is welcome to enjoy the exhibition with museum admission from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. 

June 9
10 a.m.
Continental Breakfast and Seminar Opening Remarks

10:15 a.m.
Artist Z.S. Liang will host “My Story as a Chinese American Artist who Paints Native American Subject Matter”.

11:30 a.m.
Seminar luncheon that is exclusively for Prix artists, event sponsors, Prix de West Society Members and premium package purchasers.

1 p.m.
Painter Andrew Peters will host “The Comeback Kid: Trumpeter Swans in Art and History” that focuses on “Their remarkable story and how artists promote wildlife conservation.”

2 p.m.
Renowned artist Dean Mitchell presents “Exploring the Human Condition – Unpredictable”.

6 p.m.
Cocktail reception with a cocktail attire dress code.

June 10
10 a.m.
Continental Breakfast and Artist Talk with Kyle Polzin, the 2022 Prix de West Purchase Award winner.

11 a.m.
Seminar luncheon that is exclusively for Prix artists, event sponsors, Prix de West Society Members and premium package purchasers.

12 p.m.
2023 Prix de West Purchase Award Presentation

1-2:30 p.m.
Artist demonstrations with landscape painter Scott L. Christensen and still life and figurative artist Sherrie McGraw.

5:30 p.m.
Cocktails in the Galleries lets attendees dress in black-tie optional or a Western chic style for the kickoff to the evening gala where the artwork will be sold by draw.

6:30 p.m.
Fixed-price draw for art begins with the first horn. Visit the Prix de West website for full rules of the sale and a more detailed schedule.

7:30 p.m.
Awards ceremony, live auction and closing celebration dinner.