Colorado’s landscape is diverse, from arid deserts to the snow-capped Rockies, to rivers, canyons and more. The state, with its towering mountain ranges, attracts visitors year-round for epic hikes, skiing and snowboarding. Possibly even more robust, though, is its arts and cultural scene—especially art with a Western flair.
The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum in Colorado Springs. Courtesy Colorado Tourism Office.
Let’s start with Denver’s powerhouse event, the Coors Western Art Show & Sale. Having just celebrated its 29th year this past January, the annual show returned to a 100 percent in-person format, featuring new works by 60 contemporary Western artists. It’s a beloved event that takes place in conjunction with Colorado’s National Western Stock Show and features such big names as Michael Blessing, Luke Anderson, William Haskell, Linda Lillegraven and many others.
Union Station in downtown Denver. Photo by Colin Lloyd.
The Mile-High City truly has a thriving arts scene. Near downtown Denver is the Art District on Santa Fe, one of the state’s designated Creative Districts. This multicultural neighborhood houses more than 40 art galleries, the highest concentration of art galleries in the city. And we’d be remiss not to mention the Denver Art Museum. The institution has recently undergone a massive renovation, including a total reimagining of its comprehensive Western American art collection, overseen by the Petrie Institute of Western American Art.
Vail, Colorado. © Vail Local Marketing District. Photo by Jack Affleck.
In the gorgeous city of Steamboat Springs, collectors will find the Steamboat Art Museum, currently displaying the exhibition Portraits of the American West through April 2. The museum also hosts the annual Plein Air Event, a wonderful week where artists both local and from abroad come together to capture the beauty of the Yampa Valley. This year’s event takes place September 23 to 30, with artwork on display and for sale October 1 to November 5.
Moving over to Loveland, Colorado, is the Sculpture in the Park Show & Sale. The three-day outdoor extravaganza features sculpture in a variety of mediums including bronze, stone, wood, ceramic, glass, metal and mixed media.
The opportunities to immerse oneself in art are boundless, and throughout the state of Colorado, Western art lovers will find no shortage of talent. Peruse the following pages to learn more about galleries and organizations like Ann Korologos Gallery, Claggett/Rey Gallery, Sorrel Sky Gallery, Enver from Denver Fine Rugs & Restoration and Mudhead Gallery, as well as artists Don Woodard, Ryan Austin Lee and Sherry Cobb-Kelleher.
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Claggett/Rey Gallery, Road to Tohatchi, oil, 30 x 50”, by Curt Walters.
Claggett/Rey Gallery
216 Main Street, Suite C-100, Edwards, CO 81632
www.claggettrey.com
Claggett/Rey Gallery, established in 1989, is proud to represent some of the finest living and historical painters and sculptors from coast to coast. Most of these artists have spent decades mastering their chosen medium, continually pushing the boundaries of art with enthusiasm.
Claggett/Rey Gallery, Out of the North, bronze, 20 x 20 x 10”, by Tim Shinabarger.
Claggett/Rey Gallery, Everything Old is New Again, pastel, 16 x 20”, by W. Truman Hosner.
Claggett/Rey Gallery is nestled in the heart of the Vail Valley elevating their artists to an international stage. They offer an expansive cross section of genres including traditional and contemporary Western, international landscapes, allegorical vignettes and modern expressions. Meticulously displayed and illuminated in their museum-style backdrop, the artwork holds the spotlight. They also offer consultations and assistance with estate planning for collectors transitioning their art collections for various reasons. “We are a source of comfort and expertise; we assist in the challenges, excitement and exploration of possibilities in estate preparation, all while helping our clients enjoy the process,” says gallery co-owner Bill Rey.
Claggett/Rey Gallery, Fall in Ohio Creek, oil, 12 x 16”, by Walt Gonske.
Claggett/Rey Gallery, Everything Old is New Again, pastel, 16 x 20”, by W. Truman Hosner.
Claggett/Rey Gallery, Ready to Harvest, oil, 24 x 36”, by Quang Ho.
“In 2022 we are excited to host an exhibition for Derek Penix throughout the month of March, featuring over 20 paintings uniquely created for this show,” co-owner Maggie Rey adds. “March 21 to April 11 we are honored to display a collection of intimate vignettes by artist Timothy Standring. July 1 will launch our opening of Josh Elliott’s showcase of large works on canvas and for August we are gearing up for a James Reynolds retrospective. We have a lot to look forward to in this coming year with these exhibitions and new masterpieces from all of our artists.”
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Sorrel Sky Gallery, Conquering Eagle, oil on canvas, 36 x 36”, by Greg Overton.
Sorrel Sky Gallery
Durango, CO, (970) 247-3555
Santa Fe, NM, (505) 501-6555
info@sorrelsky.com
www.sorrelsky.com
Sorrel Sky Gallery’s personalized approach connects new and experienced art enthusiasts to the artists they represent. Featuring traditional and contemporary Western paintings, fine art photography, sculpture, jewelry and more, the gallery’s acclaimed artists include Kevin Red Star, David Yarrow, Star Liana York and former U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse, among others. This past year Sorrel Sky began exclusive representation of Greg Overton, whose visually arresting paintings mirror his passion for the West and Native American history and culture.
Sorrel Sky Gallery’s location in Durango, Colorado.
Sorrel Sky Gallery, Early Fall, oil on panel, 24 x 24”, by Roberto Ugalde.
The gallery’s focus in 2022 will be cultivating and strengthening relationships with both artists and clients. Sorrel Sky Gallery’s Durango, Colorado, location celebrates its 20th anniversary this April. Events in June and September will feature Colorado artists Bryce Pettit and Edward Aldrich respectively. Festivities in early December will get the holiday season started.
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A bronze of a Wells Fargo Stagecoach by Joseph Krausz sits in front of a Navajo/Teec Nos Pos rug at Mudhead Gallery.
Mudhead Gallery
1720 Wazee Street, Suite 1B, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 293-0007, (303) 293-9977
mudheadgallery@icloud.com
www.mudheadgallery.com
Mudhead Gallery has been in business for more than 35 years and is known for featuring a wide variety of the highest quality of Native American goods, including gold and silver jewelry by some of the finest contemporary artists, as well as a vast collection of vintage silver jewelry. The gallery has in its inventory 100 squash-blossom necklaces, 65 concho belts and a number of Zuni fetishes, Conté crayon drawings, beadwork and basketry. 
A view of Don Baker’s bronze Southern Cheyenne Chief surrounded by other artwork at Mudhead Gallery.
Mudhead Gallery, Southern Cheyenne Chief (detail), limited edition bronze, 34 x 21 x 16”, by Don Baker.
Also represented at the Denver-based gallery are Navajo weavings, Pueblo pottery by notable artists, fine Hopi katsinas and Western and wildlife bronzes. The works of artists like Don Baker, Kathleen Wall, James King, Marvin Toddy, Irving Toddy and many others can be found while exploring Mudhead Gallery. The gallery is owned by Lois Joseph. Her sister, Joanie, has been an essential asset to the gallery’s sales, working alongside Lois for 36 years.
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Ann Korologos Gallery, Winter After Dark, oil on board, 11 x 14”, by Dan Young.
Ann Korologos Gallery
211 Midland Avenue, Basalt, CO
(970) 927-9668
art@korologosgallerey.com
www.korologosgallery.com
Ann Korologos Gallery represents more than 40 painters, sculptors, printmakers, mixed media artists and photographers. Located in the charming town of Basalt, this spacious gallery is one of the premier galleries for modern landscapes and contemporary Western art. “We believe you will be transported by the insight and creativity of these artists, and the inspirational, timeless and vibrant works created,” says gallery owner Ann Korologos. “Our goal as a gallery is for everyone who visits to discover something new with each experience.”
A glimpse of Ann Korologos Gallery’s interior space.
Discover regional landscapes by Peter Campbell, Deborah Paris, Andy Taylor, Nathan Solano, Dinah Worman, Marie Figge Wise and Dan Young. Feel the impact of nature through the abstract landscape paintings of Michael Kessler, Cap Pannell, Allison Stewart, and the pastels of Sabrina Stiles. Experience ranch life in the American West as painted by Terry Gardner, Donna Howell-Sickles, Peggy Judy, Linda Lillegraven, Kate Starling, Sean Wallis and Simon Winegar. Explore the contours and characters of the West carved and printed by Leon Loughridge, Sherrie York, Aaron Fink, Joel Ostlind and Paula Schuette Kraemer. Take home a modern-day relic of a ceramic horse by Amy Laugesen, a pot by local ceramicist Michael Wisner or a bronze sculpture by Gordon Gund, Veryl Goodnight or Lisa Gordon. Experience the realist still lifes by Sarah Lamb or highly detailed landscapes by Brett Scheifflee. Characters of the past take new dimension through the eyes of Tomas Lasansky, Janet Nelson and Lloyd Schermer. All manners of wildlife—great and small—evoke humor and nostalgia through works by Diana Woods, Mike Weber, Sandra Kaplan, Ewoud de Groot and Heather Foster.
Ann Korologos Gallery, Magnolia II, oil on linen, 10 x 13” by Sarah Lamb.
Upcoming shows include Lightness of Spirit from June 2 to 28, Sarah Lamb: Timeless Memories running June 30 to July 7 and Dan Young: Mountain Majesty from July 9 to 19.
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Don Woodard, Buttin’ Heads, bas relief mixed media, linden wood, 20 x 25½”
Don Woodard ARTWORKS
555 Alter Street #3, Broomfield, CO 80020
(720-217-2029)
don@donwoodard.com
www.donwoodard.com
Don Woodard moved into his new art studio in November of 2021. This enlarged space provides an ideal area for him to continue to create his unique, one-of-a-kind, bas relief mixed media—“Fine Art in Wood.” Woodard has become known for his non-traditional style of creating artwork. After creating a design, the artist will handcarve the image into select woods, then paint the wood with details to complement the image. This unique and original style has garnered him an ever-increasing list of fine art collectors.
Don Woodard, Abandoned, bas relief mixed media, linden wood, 13 x 22¾”
Woodard’s subject matter includes wildlife, Western scenes, landscapes and florals, as well as images of Hawaii. He states, “Many of my Western artworks depict events or scenes that have occurred during one of the many pack-horse trips I have led into the Rocky Mountain wilderness, during the past 40 years.”
Woodard’s studio is adjacent to a new art gallery in Broomfield, Colorado, called Life in the West Art Gallery. The gallery represents both his artwork as well as the artwork of nationally acclaimed and local artists. Woodard offers original works of art and prints, but is also happy to create commissioned artwork. His 2022 show schedule includes the 41st Western Spirit Juried Art Show in Cheyenne, Wyoming; a show at Jones Gallery in Kansas City, Missouri; the WILDLIFE ART Special Event and the WESTERN ART Special Event shows at the Life in the West Art Gallery in Broomfield, and others to be announced.
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Ryan Austin Lee, Brothers, mixed media, 50 x 40”
Ryan Austin Lee
Denver, CO
(720) 215-2911
ryanaustinleeart@gmail.com
www.ryanaustinlee.com
Artist Ryan Austin Lee, born and raised in Denver, creates contemporary artwork depicting the land and history of the West and the people who live it. “I try to evoke the Old West crashing with the current day Western USA. My art is a Western story,” he says. “I work on several pieces at once. My paintings are never done in a sitting or in a specific time frame. All of my art is shuffled through, put away, painted over, pulled out, thrown at the wall and thought on, until eventually I complete a piece. Lee is currently working on a series that incorporates funny cars and desert raceways. His paintings are available for purchase.
Ryan Austin Lee, Legacy, mixed media, 60 x 60”
Lee’s works have been shown in numerous Western art events and museum exhibitions, including the Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale in Denver, Representing the West at the San De Christo Museum in Pueblo, Colorado, and the Legends of Ranching Equine Charity Event in Fort Collins, Colorado.
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Sherry Cobb-Kelleher, Shadow Daydreams, oil on linen panel, 14 x 18”
Sherry Cobb-Kelleher
(970) 261-3396
sherry@sherrysstudio.com
www.sherryspaintedhorsestudio.com
Growing up, some of Sherry Cobb-Kelleher’s earliest memories were watching her mother and grandmother paint. Over the years they patiently taught her how to look at the world with an artist’s eye, helping her to find her own voice by tapping into her deep and abiding love for animals and a life well spent working the land.
Sherry Cobb-Kelleher, Peaceful Water, oil on linen panel, 24 x 18”
Born and raised on a farm and ranch in southwestern Colorado provided the artist intimate knowledge of her equine subjects, which continue to surround her today on the ranch where her studio is located. She continually seeks out the moments that “tell a story of the animals and people,” that inspire each new day. Authenticity is important to Cobb-Kelleher. Through her mastery of light and a well-built foundation of drawing and composition, she has developed a unique style that allows her to bring her subjects to life.
Cobb-Kelleher’s work received the Director’s Choice Award and the Patrons Choice Award at the 2019 Cowgirl Up! Exhibition & Sale at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum. She will be showing at the 2022 Cowgirl Up! show in March, as well as the Phippen Museum’s Hold Your Horses! Exhibition & Sale beginning this August.
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A sample of a rug restored by Enver from Denver Fine Rugs & Restoration.
Enver from Denver Fine Rugs & Restoration
(720) 242-8513
3440 South Brady Court, Sheridan, CO 80110
enversfinerugs@gmail.com
www.enverfromdenver.com
Located in Denver and aptly named, Enver from Denver Fine Rugs & Restoration can restore Native American blankets and weavings to their full beauty and former glory, with custom dying and perfect matching of wool. Enver from Denver’s specialized team has more than 30 years of experience working on collections from galleries and museums across the country. Their restoration artists include Jill Schuller, Emma Young and Elora Dixon.—
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