Audio By Carbonatix
Western art sometimes gets a bad rap when it comes to the inclusion and illustration of contemporary themes. But the 2014 Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale has been doing just that for more than two decades, with a show focusing on art depicting modern life in rural areas. While topics like ranching, farming and rodeo can dominate older work, this display explores current issues such as water rights and land development.
“I call it contemporary realism of the American West, which is sort of a loaded term, but I wanted it to be a reference of what is happening today in the West,” says curator Rose Fredrick, who has been curating the exhibit and sale for eighteen of its 21 years, hand-picking work by dozens of artists. Paintings and photography will hang side by side, along with works in clay and bronze, stonework, etchings and more from contributors like Quang Ho, Deborah Bays and Seth Winegar.
The show and sale also benefits the National Western Scholarship Trust. Last year’s edition resulted in more than $250,000 going toward the education of college students studying agribusiness, rural family health and other fields that have a direct connection to rural communities.
The Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale opens to the public with a red-carpet reception and auction at 5:30 p.m. on the third floor of the Expo Hall at the National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt Street. The exhibit will then be open to the public during the National Western Stock Show, January 11 through 26. For more information on the works, the artists and other events connected to the 2014 exhibition, visit coorswesternart.com.
Tue., Jan. 7, 5:30-10 p.m.; Jan. 11-26, 2014
