Annual Phippen Museum Western Art Show and Sale attracts huge crowds over Memorial Day weekend

Prescott, Arizona — Beautiful weather with cool breezes, 125 extremely talented artists representing different mediums and enthusiastic crowds of people from across the country combined as the Phippen Museum presented its 35th Annual Western Art Show and Sale over Memorial Day weekend. This extremely popular event on Prescott’s historic Courthouse Plaza showcased a diverse group of Western artists as they exhibited artwork in booths of all shapes and sizes. This event is one of the most highly anticipated premier outdoor western art show and sales in Arizona and offers a wonderful opportunity for art collectors and enthusiasts to visit with and purchase fine original art pieces directly from the source.

“This year marked a very important milestone as we celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Phippen Museum’s Western Art Show and Sale,” said Kim Villalpando, the Phippen Museum’s Executive Director. “And despite the downturn in the economy, this event remains a Memorial weekend tradition in Prescott. We had a very successful show due to our many dedicated artists, sponsors, art patrons, volunteers and staff and I truly hope everyone enjoyed all the weekend events while experiencing some wonderful Western Art!”

Thirty-five years ago, a group of dedicated artists and supporters of the arts were inspired by the legacy of their friend and mentor, George Phippen, and established the first Phippen Memorial Western Art Show and Sale in Prescott, Arizona — the Cowboy Capital of the American West. This group included Don Polland, Jack Osmer, Bill and Merry Nebeker, Ray and Gary Swanson, Chuck Nicholas, Dorothy Chafin, Lois Smith, Fred Wakelin and Mary Scott, among others.

Each shared the dream of eventually building a Western Art Museum in George’s honor, and ten years later, the Phippen Museum of Western Art opened its doors to the public (1984). And while the Memorial Show and Sale was the catalyst for the creation of the Museum, it continues to be its signature fundraiser and, in some cases, has been the vital stepping stone for artists attempting to gain national recognition and jumpstart their careers in Western Art.

This year’s events on the plaza included two Quick Draw events that challenged 18-20 artists to create a work of art in only 45 minutes. Once completed, the artwork was hoisted above the crowd by the artist and auctioned off to the highest bidder on the north steps of the Courthouse Plaza. Hyrum Joe from Kirtland, New Mexico, not only sold his quick draw piece for $5,000 but was also named the 2009 Best of Show winner. And as a generous sign of support and thanks, all participating artists donated a portion of their proceeds from the Quick Draw to benefit the George Phippen Memorial Foundation.

The Phippen Museum also celebrated another landmark as they presented the 6th annual Miniature Masterpieces Show & Sale. This year’s event included spectacular drawings, paintings and sculptures by some of the biggest names in Western Art. Each miniature masterpiece was available for viewing in the Museum’s Cultural Hall throughout the month of May, with a sale by draw on Memorial Day.

And with greater artist participation than ever before, more than 90 pieces of artwork were available and despite the unstable economy, a thoughtful group of outstanding bidders helped the Miniature Masterpiece event reach its projected goals.

In addition to the exhibition on the Courthouse Plaza, the Phippen Museum hosted the Denim to Diamonds Gala fundraiser at the Prescott Resort, featuring dinner, a Live Art Auction, and an Awards Ceremony. Two-hundred and fifty guests enjoyed a gourmet meal while the Phippen Museum paid tribute to this year’s award-winning artists and auctioned off some outstanding pieces of Western art.

Entertainment included the talents of emcee and auctioneer, Carson Thomas, live music performed by the Joe Baer Band and a special appearance by Gail Steiger reciting cowboy poems, including Dude Wrangler and Hail and Farewell. And an especially poignant moment was during the live art auction when George Phippen’s granddaughter, Sarah Phippen, sold her oil on canvas, titled Sleep While You Can, for $8,000.

In addition to the fundraiser, this event honored award-winning artists in seven categories: acrylic, drawing, mixed media, oil, pastel, sculpture, water color. Also presented were special awards from: the George Phippen Memorial Foundation (selected by the Phippen Board of Trustees), the Phippen Family Award (chosen by George’s immediate family), the Cowboy Artists of America Award (given to an outstanding emerging artist), and the Montgomery Frames Award (presented to the artist recognized for their entire body of work. The 2009 Best of Show award was co-sponsored by Cowboys and Indians magazine and was awarded to Hyrum Joe. This special recognition includes a feature of his award-winning piece on their website during the month of June. In all, twenty fantastic works of miniature art were auctioned at the Gala.

In addition to all the fun downtown, the Museum also offered complimentary trolley rides from the Courthouse Plaza to the Museum (courtesy of Fain Signature Group) and more than 400 people took advantage of free admission throughout the Memorial weekend.

The Phippen Museum Board of Trustees and Staff would like to thank and congratulate the artists and thank the community for its support for this exciting and dynamic event!

The Phippen Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to preserving and exhibiting museum quality Western art, and educating the public about the unique heritage, history, legends, and influence of art of the American West. The Museum is located just a few minutes north of downtown Prescott, at 4701 Highway 89 North.