The 11th edition of the Summer Stampede Western Art & Gear Showreturns to Texas featuring a diverse range of mediums and styles within Western-themed artwork and working cowboy gear. The show, hosted at the National Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock, Texas, includes an evening of food and dancing among a showcase of paintings, photography, bronze sculptures, handcrafted silver work, detailed leatherwork and so much more.
Hand-crafted knife and leather sheath by Brian Asher.
“Our mission with Summer Stampede is to showcase Western art and the talented artists who bring it to life, always keeping in mind our core mission of preserving and interpreting the history of ranching,” explains Katy Rush, event manager. “The collection of art in this show represents a dynamic blend of both well-established names and emerging talents. The Western way of life has always been defined by the men and women who live it and by those who are inspired by its rugged beauty, capturing its spirit through every form of artistic expression.”
T.D. Kelsey, Battle Ready, bronze
The roster of artists and craftsmen includes the likes of Bruce Greene, Emily McCartney Eiguren, Herman Walker, Garland Weeks, Brian Asher, Mike Capron, Julie Oriet, Teal Blake, T.D. Kelsey, Gary Dunshee, Mary Ross Buchholz, Wayne Baize, Jerry Lindley and many more.
Returning artist June Dudley—known for her depictions of ranch life, cowboys and cowgirls, Western-themed landscapes, horses and livestock—finds inspiration from her days on her family ranch. We see this in her show piece Gentle Nudges, a charming, realistic depiction of a mom and baby cow.
“One day, while we were working cattle, this mama cow was gently nudging her baby calf along the fence line into the cattle pens as I sat on my horse with my camera,” Dudley shares of the piece. “I loved the lighting on the cow and calf, as well as their colors. At that time, I hadn’t thought of a title, but while painting it my son suggested Gentle Nudges.I thought about what mama cows do raising their calves, and what we as mothers do with our children and grandchildren. We gently nudge them along in the right direction.”
Shannon Lawlor, Tito, acrylic on Baltic birch, 40 x 27 in.
Artist Shannon Lawlor, participating at Summer Stampede for the first time, features three highly realistic pieces from her series the Moorhouse Cowboy Collection, taken from slides that Lawlor purchased from renowned photographer and rancher, Bob Moorhouse.
“This journey, this collection, is motivated by the unending respect I have for Mr. Moorhouse and his contribution to the West and documenting the history of the Pitchfork Ranch,” says Lawlor. “I feel a sense of responsibility here in that Bob shared his work with the world through his lens, and further shared his experience and work with me. Selflessly offering his work to me as reference to create this body of work.”
June Dudley, Gentle Nudge, acrylic, 10 x 20 in.
One piece from the collection, Tito, shows Bubba Smith, “who worked at the Pitchfork back in the day,” notes Lawlor. “I paint in acrylic and after 20 years painting full time, I am comfortable ‘pushing colors’ to accentuate the temperature and feel of each painting.”
Buy tickets to this year’s Summer Stampede to enjoy these amazing works in person. The show takes place on Saturday, June 7, and any works not sold during the event will remain on view throughout the month of June at the National Ranching Heritage Center’s Red McCombs Gallery. —
Summer Stampede Western Art & Gear Show
June 7, 2025
National Ranching Heritage Center
3121 Fourth Street, Lubbock, TX 79409
(806) 742-0498, www.summerstampede.com
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