Gear Up for Cowboy Crossings
OKLAHOMA CITY—The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is once again proud to host Cowboy Crossings, a major lineup of fine art exhibitions and sales, Oct. 12-13, 2012. The Museum is presenting the Cowboy Artists of America (CAA) 47th Annual Sale & Exhibition alongside the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association (TCAA) Exhibition and Sale, now in its 14th year. The combination offers collectors of Western fine art an unparalleled opportunity in one location.
“Many people look to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum as a leader in offering the very best in Western-based artistic expression in a variety of media. We take that responsibility seriously,” said Chuck Schroeder, president of the Museum. “Cowboy Crossings is perhaps the most unique combination of exquisite works in painting and sculpture, as well as leather, rawhide, silver
and steel anywhere in the world. We are very proud to play host to these fine artists and to show off their best current work.”
The CAA works to authentically preserve and perpetuate the culture of Western life through fine art. The group’s inaugural exhibition was held at what was at the time the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1966. Since that time the CAA Sale & Exhibition moved to the Phoenix Art Museum until 2011 when the group returned to the Museum. Today, the organization represents some of the most regarded Cowboy artists, including 20 active members, exhibiting more than 100 works of art during the exhibition.
The TCAA is dedicated to preserving and promoting saddle making, bit and spur making, silver smithing and rawhide braiding, all traditional crafts evolving from the cowboy culture of the American West. TCAA members are master craftsmen who have elevated their work to an artistic level. This year 15 artists will offer approximately 50 works of functional art for purchase and exhibition.
The Museum is hosting a full slate of activities around the opening of the two exhibits. Art enthusiasts can attend the preview party Oct. 12 and on Oct. 13 attendees can look forward to an autograph party at 10 a.m. with free admission into the Museum until noon. A luncheon and panel discussion will be held at 11:30 a.m. in the Sam Noble Special Events Center, followed by a marquee fixed-price sale that evening.
A cocktail reception at 5 p.m. allows patrons the opportunity to submit ballot slips for works they wish to purchase, and the energy of the event kicks into high gear when the air horn is blown signaling the first draw of buyers’ names. The following hour is a lively period filled with excitement as buyers make purchases. A celebratory banquet will cap the evening’s activities.
The CAA exhibition and sale will continue through Nov. 25, while the TCAA will be on display and available for purchase through Jan. 6, 2013. Last year the show and sale played host to 42 artists and more than 400 guests totaling art sales of more than $2.2 million with a portion going to fund Museum programs and operations. Additionally, because of the success of the event in 2011, the
Museum was presented a Hometown Hero’s Award by the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Reservations can still be made online at www.nationalcowboymuseum.org or by contacting the Museum at (405) 478-2250, Ext. 219. An online catalog will be available for viewing early September and commemorative printed catalogs will be available for purchase.
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Contact: Catherine Page-Creppon – Director of PR & Museum Events
E-mail: cpage@nationalcowboymuseum.org
Phone: (405) 478-2250, Ext. 221