After canceled and shortened events in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, the Briscoe Western Art Museum’s annual Night of Artists exhibition and sale roared back to life with a huge opening weekend that kicked off March 25 in San Antonio, Texas.
With a strong turnout, high participation in two separate sales and a robust schedule of programing, Night of Artists further established its important place within the regular circuit of Western art shows throughout the year. Not only did the live auction sell 100 percent of available works—with strong bidding across all lots—the exhibition itself realized nearly $2 million in sales. 
Don Oelze, At the Old Mission, oil, 46 x 38”“This year’s Night of Artists proves the strength of both the market overall and the genre itself. Western art continues to flourish thanks to the talent showcased by our participating artists and the striking number of new collectors and enthusiasts who joined us this year. The number of buyers overall and the new buyers who participated this year are a testament to the quality of art produced by contemporary Western artists and evidence that dedicated appreciation for this purely American art form continues to grow,” says Michael Duchemin, president and CEO of the museum. “Night of Artists has been part of the landscape of Western art for the last 21 years and we have no doubt that thanks to the artists, collectors, enthusiasts and supporters, both the event and the museum will continue to grow.”
One of the top award winners was Don Oelze, who won the Sam Houston Award for Painting for Scouts at the Old Mission, which also won the William B. Travis Award for Patrons’ Choice that was sponsored by Western Art Collector. The work sold for $70,000 at the live auction. Stefan Savides won the James Bowie Award for Sculpture, David LaMure Jr. won the David Crockett Award for Artists’ Choice and Kim Wiggins won the Briscoe Museum Purchase Award for his work Last Tally at Bosque Grande. —
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