Artists of Merit

Bighorn Rendezvous returns to the Brinton Museum for an in-person exhibition, quickdraw and art auction.

The return of the in-person event known as Bighorn Rendezvous at the Brinton Museum, is highly anticipated after last year’s virtual only event. While the exhibition portion of the event opens July 9, to include contemporary style paintings and bronzes by 13 artists of merit in the Western category, many look forward to the popular Quickdraw and Art Auction to occur on the closing day—August 27.Forrest E. Mars Jr. Building at the Brinton Museum, where the exhibition is displayed.

“The goal is fresh, high-quality work,” says director and chief curator Ken Schuster of the selection process this year. “[In addition] these artists have the confidence of our curatorial staff and most of them have participated in past museum shows, or we are familiar with their work from other recognizable shows and events.”

Schuster also notes that the exhibition keeps things fresh by adding “new blood”—inviting artists who haven’t participated in Bighorn Rendezvous before. This roster includes the likes of Stephanie Rose, Kathryn Mapes Turner and Robert Martinez. Returning artists will be Jake Gaedtke, John Potter and Chessney Sevier, among others.Jake Gaedtke, Shallow Waters, Late Afternoon, oil, 16 x 20”

There will also be quite the array of styles that’s more like a “50/50 split between contemporary and traditional,” Schuster explains. For example, Wyoming painter Stephanie Rose will have highly abstracted work like Concurrent, showing what appears to be whisps of clouds in a minimal landscape scene. Rose’s other works in the exhibition will be even more abstracted, adding a multidimensional element that crosses the line between representational and abstract expression. Her work is inspired by her Wyoming surroundings that she describes as “songs about the swiftly changing and sublime nature of this vast land and sky, and to the tenacious spirit it engenders.”Stephanie Rose, Concurrent, oil, 24 x 24”

More traditional views can be seen in pieces like Jake Gaedtke’s Shallow Waters, Later Afternoon, depicting a serene, highly realistic landscape and water scene—inspired by his many travels and could likely be from his home in Bozeman, Montana. Schuster notes that Gaedtke’s other work can often be looser in style, but the exhibition will host several of the artist’s popular landscapes that capture the clarity of the natural world.John Taft, Morning Cattle, oil, 12 x 14”

Attendees will also see astounding creations like John Taft’s painting Morning Cattle, taken from a view right down the road from the museum, and Skip Whitcomb’s oil beauty Rimrock Country. T.D. Kelsey will display his renowned bronze work like Here Comes Trouble, along with Michelle Usibelli’s popular oil works like The Great Egret.

Twelve of the 13 artists will also participate in quickdraw on Saturday, August 27, starting at 9 a.m., where they will paint and sculpt on the museum grounds as they capture the beauty of the Bighorn Mountains and lush surrounding area. Visitors are encouraged to engage with artists as they work and watch them create in plein air. Following the quickdraw is a ticketed cocktail hour and dinner, that leads into the art auction finale of all the finished plein air pieces.Michelle Usibelli, Canyon Horses, oil, 8 x 16”

Schuster expresses his excitement in having such talented artists come together in celebration once again. He says, “We encourage people to participate with the quickdraw and enjoy the beautiful scenery and our high-class museum.” —

Bighorn Rendezvous
Through August 27
The Brinton Museum, 239 Brinton Road, Big Horn, WY 82833
(307) 672-3173
www.thebrintonmuseum.org