For the first time, the Museum of Western Art’s annual Roundup Exhibition and Salewill occur on the last weekend of April instead of September. “There are quite a few art shows that happen in the fall, and we realized by moving it to the spring, it would be much easier for both artists and collectors to come out,” says Darrell Beauchamp, executive director of the museum. “It’s a beautiful time to be in the Texas Hill Country, so we encourage people to come out and enjoy the wildflowers for a great weekend kickoff.”
Bill Farnsworth, Shelter, oil, 20 x 30 in.
The event will feature a wide variety of traditional Western subject matter, from cowboys and Indians to wildlife and landscapes, but one thing the works have in common is a more hopeful outlook. “There was a time in the Western art market when the subject matter was very grim,” Beauchamp says. “But now, I’m seeing the artists take a much gentler approach while still telling great stories.”
One special thing about the show, Beauchamp notes, is that it features a mix of established and newer artists. “We’re a smaller museum, but we’ve been around for a long time, and that gives us a great opportunity to feature newer paints and sculptors so they can get their work out there,” he says. This approach makes for a fresh and interesting show, and it means collectors can get in on the ground floor and acquire pieces by up-and-coming artists.
Among these up-and-comers is Rachel Brownlee, who won the Patron’s Choice Award at the Roundup in 2023. Included in the award is the privilege of creating a piece to be featured on the advertisements for the following year’s show, and Brownlee’s featured piece is a portrait called The Calling.It’s a full-body charcoal portrait of a cowboy taking a brief pause from the day’s work.
Bill Kalwick, Stories from the Ancients, oil, 30 x 40 in.
“It’s a scene that was probably taken right off of her ranch, and he’s such a gritty, rough character, but it’s also a loving depiction. She did a beautiful job with it,” Beauchamp says. In addition to being available in the show and sale, The Calling can be seen by visitors on the banner system that runs through the museum.
Another piece featured in the show is Shelter by Bill Farnsworth. It depicts an adobe house dramatically backlit by an orange sky, a horse and rider approaching the door. “As a viewer, I look at the rider and I wonder if he’s finally home, or if he’s seeking shelter,” Beauchamp says. “There’s an isolation to it, but then if you look closely, you can see there’s a light on in the front door.”
Viewers will also be able to see a portrait of Sitting Bull by Todd A. Williams. It’s painted mostly in black on a striking red background, with the subject looking right at the viewer. “It’s not a menacing portrait, but it definitely makes an impression. Sitting Bull is a historical figure who’s been painted thousands of times, and Williams took a very non-traditional look at this very traditional subject,” Beauchamp says.
Rachel Brownlee, The Calling, charcoal, 30 x 15 in.
The Museum of Western Art’s Roundup Exhibition and Sale kicks off on April 26 with an awards dinner for the artists. The next day, the museum will welcome the public with a full day of artist’s demonstrations and western-themed activities like storytellers and trick ropers. A cocktail reception, dinner and sale closes out the evening. The exhibition will remain on view through June 8. —
41st Annual Roundup Exhibition and Sale
April 26-June 8, 2024
Museum of Western Art
1550 Bandera Highway, Kerrville, TX 78028
(830) 896-2553 www.museumofwesternart.com
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