National Cowboy Museum News

Native American Gallery Temporarily Closed for Renovation

Native American Gallery Will Reopen Autumn 2010

One of the Museum’s most popular galleries is closed for a reinstallation. When the Native American Gallery reopens autumn 2010, all indications are that it will offer an even richer display of Native American materials.

We apologize for any inconvenience and invite you to return for another visit when this gallery reopens. Check back on this web site for reopening announcements.

Museum Offers Camp Wildfire, August 9-10

National Cowboy Museum Hosts Camp Wildfire

August 9-10

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

In conjunction with the Mustang Heritage Foundation, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum offers a two-day summer camp for ages 12-16. Learn about the fundamentals of art, as well as about the wild mustang, its characteristics and history. Art projects, gallery tours, games and activities will inspire students interested in art and horses!

Instructor is Jennifer Hustis

Tuition is $25

Limited enrollment; advanced reservations required. (405) 478-2250, Ext. 277

New Photography Exhibit Opens in Old West Town, July 23

July 23, 2010 – January 10, 2011

Flying High and Crash Landing: Bull Wrecks in Rodeo

Images in Osborn Studio from the Museum’s Donald C. & Elizabeth M. Dickinson Research Center

Sure audiences love to see cowboys ride bulls for the required eight seconds, but they also get a thrill out of watching wild and crazy wrecks. Featuring the photography of Ralph R. Doubleday, Devere Helfrich and Bern Gregory, this exhibit focuses on rides and wrecks in photos circa 1913-1971.

Announcing the 2010 Prix de West Award Winners

Announcing the 2010 Prix de West Award Winners

These winners were announced Saturday, June 12, 2010, during the Prix de West Awards Banquet.

Prix de West Purchase Award

Christopher Blossom of Stratford, Connecticut

Sunrise in the Golden Gate; Downeaster “Benjamin F. Packard”

Oil on Linen, 24” x 38”

Chosen by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum for its permanent art collection. Recipient receives purchase price, a $5,000 cash award and the Prix de West medallion.

Blossom Wins Prix de West Purchase Award

Blossom Wins Prix de West Purchase Award

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum^® 37th anniversary Prix de West^® Invitational Art Exhibition and Sale played host to a record 110 artists during opening weekend June 11 and 12. The exhibit includes a record 346 Western paintings and sculptures by the finest contemporary Western artists in the nation.

Each year at Prix de West, top artists are awarded distinguished honors selected by the Prix de West committee, the artists and buyers. The top honor is the Prix de West Purchase Award winner. The Museum Board’s Prix de West Committee faces a difficult decision each year. From more than 340 works of art, this committee must select one work to purchase for the Museum’s permanent collection. The artist receives the purchase price and a cash award of $5,000. Christopher Blossom of Stratford, Connecticut, was honored for the first time with the prestigious Prix de West Purchase Award medallion.

Blossom’s painting titled Sunrise in the Golden Gate; Downeaster “Benjamin F. Packard” makes a significant addition to the Museum’s priceless acquisitions. He also will be recognized with a special tile in the Edward L. Gaylord Exhibition Wing hallway, and his winning work will take its rightful place in the William S. and Ann Atherton Art of the American West Gallery.

Sunrise in the Golden Gate; Downeaster “Benjamin F. Packard,” priced at $37,000 is a 24” x 38” oil on linen that catches the Benj. F. Packard sailing ship passing through the Golden Gate and into San Francisco Bay. Built in 1883, the Packard was a class of ship that represents the last of the large, wooden full-rigged ships.

Blossom follows a line of highly accomplished artists, including his grandfather, Earl, and father, David. He attended the Parsons School of Design in New York City and worked in the Industrial Design Studio of Robert Bourke, where he learned to accurately interpret blueprints. It is experience that plays into every painting of watercraft. He has been participating in Prix de West for 21 years and is a multiple award winner. Blossom is a three-time recipient (2001, 2007 and 2008) of the Robert Lougheed Memorial Award—an honor voted upon by participating artists.

Additional award winners will be announced at an Awards Banquet on Saturday evening, June 12. All works remain on display at the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma museum through September 6.

Military Invited to Visit for Free

National Cowboy Museum Joins the Blue Star Museum Program

June 1 through September 6

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum announces free admission through September 6, 2010, for active duty military personnel and their families. For more details visit, www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums

View Prix de West Online Catalog and Register Today

For a comprehensive look at this year’s art, visit the online catalog through the close of the exhibition.

Look for your Prix de West Invitation and Reservation Reply Card inside the Guide to Prix de West mailed in early May to Museum members and those on the Prix de West interest list. Or, register online today!

Make Prix de West Reservations Now

June 11 – 13, 2010

Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition, Sale and Seminars

The Museum opens its prestigious invitational art exhibit of more than 300 Western paintings and sculptures by the finest contemporary Western artists with art seminars and demonstrations, receptions and awards banquet. Reservations required for opening activities. Make your online reservations now. Exhibition and Sale continue through September 6.

June 13, 2010 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Prix de West Perk

Enjoy a Sunday morning stroll through the galleries. View the Prix de West art still available for purchase after the opening night sale. Complimentary coffee and admission until 10:30 a.m.

Museum Offers Art Workshops

June 7-10, 2010 9:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Academy of Western Art Workshop—The Joy of Watercolor

Experience an upbeat four-day workshop exploring how to keep a positive attitude while working in the exciting medium of watercolor. Instructed by Prix de West artist Joseph Bohler, the class will include demonstrations, instruction on brush control and subject matter, group critiques and individual guidance. Students can expect to leave with confidence and a notebook full of information. Skill level required: Beginner to advanced. Tuition $350. Limited enrollment; advance reservations required. (405) 478-2250, Ext. 219.

June 14-17, 2010 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Academy of Western Art Workshop— Animal Painting and Sculpture

National Cowboy Museum Prix de West artist Randal M. Dutra will instruct this intensive workshop that will place painters and sculptors working side-by-side with a common focus on animal subjects. Presentations will cover important aspects of painting, sculpting, animal action and anatomy, an appreciation for the genre, hands-on instruction, personal constructive critiques and encouraged interaction. Skill level required: intermediate to advanced. Tuition $350. Limited enrollment; advance reservations required. (405) 478-2250, Ext. 219.

US Postal Service to Dedicate Cowboy Stamps at Museum, April 17

First-Day-of-Issue Dedication Ceremony for Cowboys of the Silver Screen Stamps

April 17, 2010

10:00 a.m.

Be on hand for this official U.S. Postal Service first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for 44-cent commemorative stamps immortalizing four extraordinary performers who helped make the American Western a popular form of entertainment—William S. Hart, Tom Mix, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. All are members of the Hall of Great Western Performers at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, where each is recognized in the Western Performers Gallery. The dedication ceremony is free and open to the public.