Western Traditions

The Mountain Oyster Club hosts its annual event of artworks by emerging and seasoned contemporary Western artists.

Each year, the Mountain Oyster Club hosts its Contemporary Western Art Show and Sale at the Pond Mansion, “united in the interest of preserving [the] Southwestern heritage and ‘Old Pueblo’ (Tucson) traditions.” Now in its 54th edition, the ticketed show and sale continues to uphold this mission, while also bringing together the best Western artists of the day, and ensuring there is a place for younger, emerging artists to have their work presented alongside them.

Laurie Kersey, Quartet, oil, 12 x 24”

While the jury process is still ongoing during the writing of this article, art committee and past president of the Mountain Oyster Club, Wendy Davis, notes that she anticipates a similar number of participants and works of art as last year’s event. In 2022, there were 295 pieces of art by 215 different artists, featuring traditional mediums like oil, watercolor and pastel, and three-dimensional pieces made of bronze casting methods or carved from wood or stone.

“The subject matter is as varied as the West itself,” Davis continues to explain. “The traditional images of cowboys, cattle and Native American life are certainly represented, but the West is so much more. The landscapes of the Western United States include desert scenes but also meadows flanked by snow-covered mountains. Not only are historic ways of life represented but contemporary scenes and subjects also depict life today. Animal-based works and still lifes of botanicals, as well as moccasins and pots, will grace the walls. From realism to the abstract—all will be found in the show.”

Ross Buckland, Five, Maybe Six Miles, oil on board, 18 x 24”

Show attendees will also find two new artists joining the club’s Honorary Members, as is custom each year. The artists chosen this year are Ross Buckland, a painter focused on landscapes, figures and aviation scenes; and Stephanie Campos, a charcoal portrait artist.

Buckland showcases his oil on board, Five, Maybe Six Miles, of a man on horseback and a grounded pilot interacting. “I wanted this scenario to evoke the gentlemanly helpfulness of the cowboy to a certainly capable but somewhat concerned pilot,” the artist explains. “This is a scene from my romantic, nostalgic imagination. Somewhere in the seemingly endless Arizona dry grasslands, the Curtiss Jenny was landed as a precaution—in need of fuel, water, directions or maybe just a long overdue meal…”

Raymond Gibby, Sitting Bull, bronze, 25 x 12 x 10”

Campos’ show piece Oraibi Hopi, depicts a young lady of the Hopi tribe. “The original name for Hopi is ‘Hopituh-Shi-nu-mu’ which means ‘peaceful people,’” says Campos. She is from one of four original Hopi villages called Old Oraibi, one of the last to resist the adoption of modern American culture.”

Additional artists to watch for are Rachel Brownlee, Elizabeth Sage, Raymond Gibby, Sue Krzyston, Stephen C. Datz, Robert Rodriguez, Rich McCollum, Robert “Shoofly” Shufelt, and many more.

There will be viewing events surrounding the show, but the main event is the fixed-price sale held on Sunday, November 19. “A random draw determines the lucky buyer for those pieces with multiple names on the intent to purchase card,” says Davis. In addition, three awards are presented for best of show in three categories, and artists and patrons alike can mingle and simply enjoy astounding works of Western art.

Stephanie Campos, Oraibi Hopi, charcoal, 13 x 10½”

Pieces that do not sell will remain on view through January 15, 2024, by appointment only. Please visit the club website for tickets and additional information. —

Mountain Oyster Club’s Contemporary Western Art Show and Sale
November 19, 3 to 5:30 p.m.
Pond Mansion, 6400 E. El Dorado Circle, C100
Tucson, AZ 85715
(520) 623-3417, www.mountainoysterclub.com