‘Cowgirl Up!' art event begins Saturday

“Sharing Secrets” by Donna Howell-Sickles

They will be coming to Wickenburg from all over the state; and from California to New York and everywhere in between. And they'll be coming because they know a good thing when they see it.

In this case, it's the more than 200 paintings and sculptures that will be on exhibit and sale at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum's “Cowgirl Up! Art from the Other Half of the West.”

Just in its second year, the show is quickly becoming recognized as the most important exhibition and sale of western women's art in the country.

“Experienced collectors are definitely paying attention,” declared the Museum's Executive Director Royce Kardinal. “We are getting calls from throughout the country from people who either plan to be here themselves, or want us to place a proxy bid for them at our event on opening night.”

What Kardinal spoke of is the show's “Bash ‘n Bid” gala on Saturday night (March 24) which gives buyers first dibs on “Cowgirl Up!'s” colorful and lively collection of art.

“The sale will continue through the end of April,” said Kardinal, “although those who attend opening night, or arrange for a proxy, will get the chance to go home with the art first.”

Recognized in 2006 by Governor Janet Napolitano and the Arizona Office of Tourism as one of the top two special events in the state, this year's “Cowgirl Up!” will feature the work of 57 artists who hail from all over the West. Those who take in the exhibition can expect to see a range of work that is nearly as wide as the West itself. There will be portraits, still-lifes, landscapes, sculptures and, of course, horses. For those who prefer classical western art, there will be no disappointment, but for those who are attracted to what is being called “New West” art, there will be plenty to see, too.

“There is so much vitality to this exhibition,” says Kardinal. “In fact, in the catalogue we produced for the show, Chairman Dick DeVore and I wrote that the work practically jumps off the walls - or the pedestals where it has been placed.”

The Desert Caballeros Western Museum's “Cowgirl Up!” celebration gets underway Friday night (March 23) with a special Artists' and Patrons' Party for all those who purchase a weekend package ticket of $150. Then on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m., Dr. Dean Porter will offer a lecture on the pioneering women artists of Taos in the Sonoran Room at Rancho de los Caballeros. Dr. Porter is director emeritus of The Snite Museum at the University of Notre Dame and is an authority on western and Taos art. Tickets for this event if purchased separately are $10.

On Sunday morning (March 25), the Museum will offer a Chuck Wagon Breakfast followed by an Artists' Quick Draw and Auction featuring more than 20 of the “Cowgirl Up!” artists. Auctioneer will be Carson Thomas. Tickets for the breakfast if purchased separately are $15; although strolling through the quick draw and taking in the auction is both open to the public and free.

A blockbuster Monday finale is planned with “The Horse Whisperer” Monty Roberts and his wife “Cowgirl Up!” artist Pat Roberts. The Museum will host them at its “Lunch with a Legend” to be held at noon in the “Cowgirl Up!” tent. Local radio personality “Pete” Peterson of KBSZ AM 1250 will lead the conversation with the Roberts. Tickets for the luncheon are $30.

The “Cowgirl Up!” exhibition and sale opens to the public at 8 a.m. on Sunday with a free Museum day, and will continue through April 29. For information or to reserve tickets for any of the events, call the Desert Caballeros Western Museum at (928) 684-2272 or email info@westernmuseum.org.

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