Varied Exploration

Collectors can vie for nearly 100 works of superb Western art during the Art in the West exhibition and silent auction.

The High Desert Museum’s annual Art in the West exhibition and silent auction will unveil a stellar collection of traditional and contemporary art this summer. The invitation-only, juried exhibition showcases more than 90 works of art by dozens of the top Western artists in the country. J. Dylan Cavin, A Grand Jury Never Did Us Any Favors, ink, 24¼ x 18¼”

“The High Desert Museum explores the Intermountain West through wildlife, science, history, art and cultures. And every year, Art in the West reflects that same varied exploration,” says executive director Dana Whitelaw. Ranging from traditional to contemporary, visitors can explore sculptures, paintings and photography, as well as several mediums new to the exhibition this year, including sagebrush, plexiglass, sandstone and enamels.Brenna Kimbro, Summer Sky, sagebrush, 31 x 34”

Arturo Garcia, Three Warriors, oil on canvas, 16 x 20”

“The gallery walls will be filled with everything from detailed wildlife paintings, such as the wolves in Doyle Hostetler’s Companion Comfort, to the abstract seen in Valerie Winterholler’s piece Deconstruction,” says Whitelaw. “We are proud to introduce 22 new artists to Art in the West patrons this year.” Both of this year’s award winners happen to be among those new to the event—J. Dylan Cavin received the Curator’s Choice Award for his ink piece A Grand Jury Never Did Us Any Favors, and Brenna Kimbro was awarded the Jury’s Choice Award for her sagebrush sculpture Summer Sky. Meagan Blessing, Great Grey, oil on linen, 18 x 32”

Viewers can keep an eye out for other acclaimed artists as well, like Amy Lay, Rudi Broschofsky, Dawn Emerson, Terry Cooke Hall and Hadley Rampton. “Meagan Blessing’s haunting oil painting Great Grey is [also] part of the exhibition,” Whitelaw adds. “Her work has won awards locally and internationally, including the 2019 Best in Show at the Out West Art Show and Sale in Great Falls, Montana.”Visitors viewing artwork during a past Art in the West. Photo by Dave Stalker.Silent bidding for the Art in the West auction begins July 23 and will be available online, with the opportunity to purchase artwork outright. Proceeds support the High Desert Museum’s educational programs. Bidding closes, as well as the exhibition itself, on September 30. —