The national art organization Women Arts of the West is rolling out a new show at the Woolaroc Museum in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The inaugural event, Women Artists of the West Invitational Exhibition & Sale,opens May 4 and the group is hoping its success will lead to a long-term biannual show.
Kathy Ellem, Blondes Have All the Fun, oil, 41 x 54 in.
“This is the first all-women show at the Woolaroc, so they are stepping up and showing real confidence in women’s work, which is really important to us. The only other museum that hosts a show like this is Desert Caballeros Western Museum for Cowgirl Up!,” says painter Mejo Okon, the organization’s co-president. “It’s a very exciting time for the group because we are going through a strong transition. We don’t want to be known as the best women artists. We want to be known as the best artists. I’m paraphrasing something Georgia O’Keeffe said, and it’s something we believe.”
Heather Kaiser, Honor and Courage, bronze, 29 x 35 x 16 in.
The Woolaroc hosts the biannual Best of the West retrospective show in odd-numbered years, and WAOW is hoping its show becomes the staple of the even-numbered years. “Having been at Cowgirl Up! at Desert Caballeros for seven years, it’s beneficial to have a show repeat itself at the same location,” Okon says. “We can harness buyers and attract them to this amazing museum. It’s important to have a home.”
Deanne McKeown, Postcards From the Past, bronze, 27 x 17 x 6 in.
The show will feature works from 37 of the group’s 300-plus members. Each participating artist is given roughly 10 feet of wall space where they can display up to four pieces of art. The Woolaroc is known for its strong Western collection, including major pieces from William R. Leigh, and the May invitational will complement the museum’s collection. “This is definitely a Western show,” Okon adds. “It’s going to be a strong and formidable exhibition.”
Vicki Pedersen, Rough and Ready, oil, 12 x 16 in.The show kicks off on May 4 with art demos, a panel discussion led by Woolaroc director Shiloh Thurman, and then a ticketed exhibition and sale that evening from 6 to 9 p.m. Sales will take place via fixed-price bid boxes. Collectors who can’t attend the opening weekend can bid via proxy by contacting the museum prior to the opening. —Women Artists of the West Invitational Exhibition & Sale
May 4-August 4, 2024
Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve
1925 Woolaroc Ranch Road, Bartlesville, OK 74003
(918) 336-0307, www.woolaroc.org
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