Every year the National Western Stock Show hosts the Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale. The combination of a rodeo and art exhibition creates a perfect union, especially in a Western city such as Denver. That pairing was especially strong this year as Coors unveiled its new home, The Legacy, and then sold more than $1.9 million in art.
Chad Poppleton, Long Awaited Return, oil on canvas, 20 x 30 in. “This year marks a tremendous milestone in the 34-year history of the Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale,” says curator Kate Hlavin. “We had record attendance from patrons, collectors and artists, on top of our highest sell-through rate of 76 percent and over $1,950,000 in total sales. I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate our new chapter at the Legacy than this.”
Bill Anton, In the Shadow of Giants, oil on linen, 20 x 24 in.
Collectors gathered for two evening receptions and parties, as well as art demos and educational programming related to Western art. The event, which is always well attended, thrives on the modern Western audience that calls Denver home, and Coors matches that energy with a show that fluidly blends traditional and contemporary art made at the highest levels.
Guests at the new Legacy venue, home of the National Western Stock Show and Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale.This year’s featured artist was Logan Maxwell Hagege, who brought major new work. The Best in Show award was given to Jill Soukup for her nearly monochromatic horse painting Blue Impulse. Chad Poppleton was the winner of the Western Art Collector Award of Excellence for his work Long Awaited Return. Other award winners were John Taft, Bill Anton and Joseph McGurl.
Jill Soukup, Blue Impulse, oil on canvas, 52½ x 43½ in.
Organizers of the show are already looking ahead to 2027, when Coors returns to Denver.
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