Saturday, June 5 | Summer Stampede Art and Gear Show | Location TBA

The Way of the West

The National Ranching Heritage Center hosts an in-person event for the annual Summer Stampede event and show.

Following a tumultuous year of closures and virtual alternatives, there’s much anticipation surrounding this year’s eighth annual Summer Stampede Art and Gear Show, as it will now be held as an in-person event, along with virtual opportunities. Hosted by the National Ranching Heritage Center (NRHC), and with a location yet to be announced, the event will feature around 100 art and gear pieces by 30 talented artists such as Bruce Greene, T.D. Kelsey, Teal Blake, Rosie Sandifer, Emily McCartney and Buddy Knight.Peter Robbins, Speedy Jumping Yucca, mixed media, 30 x 29”

Summer Stampede is also special for not only its display of paintings and sculptures, but for ranching gear such as bits and spurs, braided leather, saddles and other traditional items used in ranching.

The mission of the NRHC is to “preserve and interpret the history of ranching in North America,” and therefore, the event will reflect artworks and artists that have strong connections to ranching. “[These artists] are all familiar with the American West and the history, lifestyle and culture, and have grown up around ranching, cattle and horses,” says Dr. Scott White, NRHC director of collections, exhibits and research. “They’re all very good representatives for people who are interested in this heritage and history.”Mary Baxter, Late Afternoon at the River, oil, 22 x 36”

This is true for participating artist Peter Robbins, a photojournalist turned Western photographer. While he’s always had a passion for the “way of the cowboy,” he reconnected with his fascination in 1990, when he was invited to photograph a West Texas ranch.

“I realized I didn’t like the kind of journalism I was doing,” Robbins explains, “because I was an outsider looking in. I told myself that if I could ever do a project, I wanted to do it from the view point of the people. When
I had the opportunity to work on that first ranch in 1990, I decided I’d become a cowboy and poured myself into that.” Since then, Robbins has worked with and photographed cowboys in Texas, New Mexico and Wyoming.

This experience led Robbins to the creation of works such as show piece Speedy Jumping Yucca, showing a colored photograph of a cowboy from TO Ranch in New Mexico, jumping over a yucca plant. Bruce Greene, A Little Cinchy, bronze, ed. of 12, 17 x 15 x 10”

Another significant artist to watch for is Mary Baxter, who creates pieces based on the landscape of her home near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and Marfa, Texas. In Late Afternoon at the River, she depicts cattle drinking water from a pasture on the Rio Grande, near Truth or Consequences. Baxter enjoys hanging out with and watching cattle.
“I really do love to draw and paint cattle,” Baxter says. “Usually, I look for a something that I think will make a good, possibly unusual, landscape painting in a loose, impressionistic style.”Baru Forell, Necklace and earring jewelry set, with sterling silver and rose gold fill longhorns

Don’t miss the opportunity to view these unique pieces at the in-person opening, and to also chat with the show artists, who will also be in attendance. Summer Stampede will kick off its in-person and virtual event and show Saturday, June 5, from 6 to 11 p.m. All purchases are first come, first served, with no bidding options. In addition, there will be festivities including dinner and Western swing music to accompany. For further information about location and tickets, please visit the NRHC website. —

Summer Stampede Art and Gear Show
Saturday, June 5
Location TBA
(806) 773-4321, www.ranchingheritage.org/nrhc-events/summer-stampede/