On March 13 and 14, the Booth Western Art Museum will present the annual Gala & Art Auction Weekend,which is the museum’s largest fundraiser of the year. The 2026 event theme is “A Grand Affair,” inspired by the work of Curt Walters, known for his Grand Canyon paintings. Walters will also be honored during the event with the museum’s Excellence Award.
Greg Beecham, What’s Yer Sign?, oil on linen, 18 x 24 in.
“The funds raised during the event really helps our museum thrive,” says Leslie McMillan, director of development. “We celebrate beginning Friday night, [March 13], including dinner with Curt Walters for those traveling to the event from out of the state. Next, we have a more relaxed evening with a miniature’s sale and quickdraw live auction with live entertainment, dinner and dancing. On Saturday, [March 14,] we begin the day with brunch and an interview with Curt Walters. The celebration continues with the gala and art auction on Saturday evening.”
Curt Walters, Pythia and The Guardian, oil on canvas, 24 x 24 in.
For the live and silent auction on Saturday, attendees will have an opportunity to purchase more than 80 artworks in various medium and styles, both traditional and modern. The auction will also include Walter’s painting Pythia and the Guardian, of which he says, “I was lucky to be painting last November on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon following a cold weather storm. I say ‘lucky’ because I witnessed a rare occurrence: fractus clouds clustering around and clinging well below the tops of the temples to the north. The dark and shadowed North Rim of the Grand Canyon gives a strong contrast with the full light on Cheops Temple. The warm earth of the great chasm and the cold moisture from rain created fog rising from the lower reaches of Pipe Springs, below where I painted from Grandeur Point. As I painted, I was reminded of the ancient Greek myth of Pythia, the oracle of Delphi who used the earth’s own vapors to predict future events.”
Andrew Higdon, Pass Me By, But Only if You’re Passing Through, oil on canvas, 24 x 18 in.
Other highlights at auction are Greg Beecham’s bison oil painting What’s Yer Sign?; Andrew Higdon’s landscape painting with horse and rider, Pass Me By, But Only if You’re Passing Through; and Victoria Barnhill’s floral work, Desert Rose.
Kicking off the event weekend is the Boots n’ Saddlesevent, held March 13, hosted at the Booth’s sister museum, Savoy Automobile Museum. Besides the quickdraw and miniature sale, the event features cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live music and an opportunity to interact with artists in attendance. On the morning of March 14, patrons can learn more about the featured artist during Brunch with the Artist, held at Booth’s other sister museum, Tellus Science Museum.
Victoria Barnhill, Desert Roses, mixed media, 36 x 36 in.
The gala begins at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, with a cocktail reception featuring hors d’oeuvres and an array of silent auction items. At 7:30 p.m., guests will adjourn to the Booth ballroom for a gourmet meal and the live art auction. Walters will also be presented with the Booth Artist of Excellence Award.
Visit the museum website for ticket prices, auction preview and additional information. —
Gala & Art Auction Weekend
March 13-14,2026
Booth Western Art Museum
501 N. Museum Drive
Cartersville, GA 30120
(770) 387-1300
www.boothmuseum.orgala-weekend-2026
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