Set with the monumental
task of defining an era that· is fading away, the Cowboy Artists
of America (CAA) comprises the most celebrated and talented artists of today
preserving the image of the West.
Phoenix Art Museum
Phoenix, Arizona
33rd Annual Cowboy Artists of America Sale and Exhibition
Set with the monumental
task of defining an era that· is fading away, the Cowboy Artists
of America (CAA) comprises the most celebrated and talented artists of today
preserving the image of the West.
The culmination of their efforts, the 33rd Annual Cowboy
Artists of America Sale, will take place on Friday, Oct. 23, 1998 at the
Phoenix Art Museum. The exhibition will remain at the Museum through Sunday,
Nov. 22, 1998.
The CAA Sale is the most prestigious western art sale in the country with some paintings selling at six figure prices and sales of nearly $1.7 million last year. The Phoenix Art Museum is a premier cultural institution in the country's seventh largest city.
Throughout the year, Cowboy Artists are featured in celebrated
shows at galleries, national and international exhibits and other Western
art sales. Many of the artists' works hang in prestigious museums throughout
the world. The CAA Sale & Exhibition is the only show to bring
all CAA artists together in one exhibition that sets the standard for other
Western art sales. Each member's diverse talents and style makes this sale
an unparalleled success.
More than 125 new works by the 27 active members of the Cowboy Artists of America, as well as some of the group's distinguished emeritus members, will be unveiled for the first time at the Sale. Included are sculptures in bronze and stone, oil paintings, water solubles and drawings.
The subjects are·the people and animals that define
the traditional West - cowboys, Native Americans, pioneers, mountain men,
trappers. Some of the artists portray the West that is long gone and only
visible through art, while others portray contemporary cowboy life, using
their own life experiences on the ranch or reservation as their research.
The Cowboy Artists of America, founded in 1965, is the oldest association of artists of its type in the country. The ranks of membership is highly selective with only one or two new artists elected to join the association each year.
The newest CAA member, painter R.S. Riddick, was elected
at the October membership meeting held in conjunction with last year's Sale.
Riddick is a classically trained artist who has been painting for more than
20 years. Born in West Los Angeles and currently living in Tucson, Ariz,
Riddick studied at Chounaird Institute and the Art Center College of Design.
Thrilled with the opportunity to join what he terms."the giants of
Western art," Riddick will display his artistic talent that earned
him a place at his first CAA Sale.
The Sale, which takes place on Friday, Oct. 23, 1998 attracts more than 1,000 collectors from around the world. It features the "luck of the draw" method of purchase. Collectors submit intent-to-purchase slips for the sculptures, drawings and paintings they prefer, and the first name drawn has the option to buy the work of art. This method not only proves exciting, but offers an equal opportunity for both first time and seasoned buyers who have attended the Sale since the beginning.
The Cowboy Artists of America Sale is a major fund raiser
for the Phoenix Art Museum and is presented by the Men's Arts Council. Proceeds
from commissions of the Sale benefit the Museum and the Western Art Endowment
Fund. 
Tickets to the Sale and Banquet are $200 per person. For more information on the Sale, call 602-252-8382.
Following the Sale, the 33rd Annual Cowboy Artists of
America Exhibition opens to the public at noon on Saturday, Oct. 24
and runs through Sunday, Nov. 22. It is annually one of the best attended
and most popular art exhibits at the Museum. 
From top to bottom: 1997 Accolades and 1998 exhibition art: 1997 Gold Medal Water Solubles, Ray Swanson, Sharing the Berries, 20 x 60 inches; 1998 Poster Painting, James Reynolds, The Legacy, oil, 30 x 48 inches; David Halbach, Winter Trade, watercolor, 18 x 28 inches; 1997 Best of Overall Show, Howard Terpening, Hunters & the Hunted, oil, 40 x 50 inches; 1997 Best of Show and Gold Medal Oil, John Moyers, Winter Travellers, oil, 40 x 58 inches; Wayne Baize, Reluctant Moment, oil, 20 x 36 inches; 1997 Gold Medal Sculpture, Oreland Joe, Sr., Keeper of the Drum, alabaster, 26.5 x 10 x 14 inches; 1997 Gold Medal Drawing and Other Media, Gary Carter, Sugar Time, pen and ink, 11 x 14 inches; Don Crowley, Apache Washer Women, oil, 44 x 56 inches. Photos are Copyright CAA 1998
rev. 11/26/10
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