Booth Western Art Museum | March 7-8, 2025 | Cartersville, GA

Gratitude

The Booth Western Art Museum hosts its largest fundraising event of the year this March.

By Alyssa M. Tidwell

For two days, March 7 to 8, the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Georgia, presents its annual Gala & Art Auction,featuring a treasure trove of artworks donated by some of the most esteemed Western artists working today. Proceeds from the sale, which includes both a live and silent auction format, support the museum’s exhibitions, educational and enrichment programs.

Kevin Kehoe, Presidio San Elizario, 2019, oil on canvas“We are thrilled that so many artists have donated wonderful works of art to the Booth gala this year,” says Seth Hopkins, executive director of the Booth Museum. “Among the highlights are beautiful and powerful paintings by Doug Hall, Kevin Kehoe, Dan Mieduch, Donna Howell-Sickles, Bradley Schmehl and Don Demers, an incredible bronze by John Coleman, and a very creative saddle by Maeve Eichelberger.”

This year’s theme, “Giving Thanks,” was inspired by a poignant bronze by 2025 artist of excellence Deborah Fellows, titled Giving Thanks - for the Grass, the Rain and the Way of Life.The monumental sculpture loosely depicts her father, Dee Coppenhaver, who was a world champion rodeo rider. “When the event committee was discussing a theme for this year, it was unanimous that it should be ‘Giving Thanks’ in honor of Deborah and her father, but also in honor of all the museum’s patrons,” says Hopkins.

Collectors view artwork during the silent auction at the 2024 Gala & Art Auction. All images courtesy the Booth Western Art Museum.

Dan Mieduch, Season of the Buffalo, oil on board

Other prominent artists with works in the upcoming event include Dennis Ziemienski, Lori Putnam, Lisa Gleim Jonas, Duke Beardsley, Amy Lay, MC Poulsen, Brandon Bailey and more.

Donna Howell-Sickles, This Little Chick of Mine, 2018, mixed media on paper

In addition to the live and silent auctions, the two-day event will feature a miniatures sale, as well as a quick -paint sale. Fellows has also created a special sculpture titled The Struggling Artist that will be available exclusively through the Booth Museum during the gala weekend.

“[It’s] the largest annual gathering of Western art fans in the Southeast, where many meet up with longtime friends and make new ones,” says Hopkins. “We hear many people say they would not have some of their best friends if not for the Booth.” —