Western art and gear collectors will have an opportunity to purchase new art pieces and meet the contributing artists and craftsmen Saturday, June 4 at Summer Stampede Western Art and Gear Show from 6 to 11 p.m. at the National Ranching Heritage Center (NRHC) in Lubbock, Texas.
Sponsored by Capital Farm Credit and benefitting the NRHC, the event will include nearly 100 art and gear pieces contributed by more than 30 Western artists and craftsmen. The art sale is followed by dinner and dancing on the patio to the Western swing music of Landon Dodd and the Dancehall Drifters.
“Summer Stampede has always been family friendly,” said Dr. Scott White, NRHC director of collections, exhibits and research. “Those attending the show will have an opportunity to view the art, purchase pieces at a listed price and take the artwork home when they leave.”
Limited tickets are available for Summer Stampede and advanced purchase is required. Tickets can be purchased online at summerstampede.com or by calling (806) 742-0498. Tickets cost $75 for Ranching Heritage Association members, $100 for the general public and $1,500 for a table for 8 under the tent. The ticket deadline is Friday, May 27, or until sold out.
White explained that after the first hour of the sale, the remaining pieces will be available to buyers from remote locations by accessing summerstampede.com. The website will provide photos of sale items prior to the show but will not be activated for purchase until an hour after onsite sales begin. Online sales will be available for two weeks following the in-person sale.
“The pieces for sale are not just paintings and sculptures, although both will be in the show,” White explained. “Silversmiths, spur and bit makers, knife makers and other traditional cowboy artists will also exhibit and sell items.”
Summer Stampede is relatively new among Western art shows and takes a lower commission than most galleries. White said sales have been equivalent to other long-established shows and “we were able to prove ourselves immediately right out of the blocks.”
Every art piece must meet the criteria of relating to ranching since the mission of the NRHC is to preserve and interpret the history of ranching in North America. Although the NRHC only sells art once a year in June, Western art is on exhibit in the museum galleries throughout the year. “Western art and museum artifacts complement each other,” White said.
Artists and craftsmen scheduled to exhibit their work include Baru Forell, Ben Tolley, Bev Pettit, Billy Albin, Billy Klapper, Brian Asher, Bruce Greene, Buddy Knight, Cotton Elliott, Edgar Sotelo, Emily McCartney, Garland Weeks, Gary Dunshee, Graeme Quesinberry, Herman Walker, Jerry Lindley, Julie Oriet, Justin Asher, Mary Ross Buchholz, Michael Tittor, Mike Capron, Mikel Donahue, Peter Robbins, Rosie Sandifer, Russell Yates, Shawn Cameron, T.D. Kelsey, Teal Blake, Tyler Crow, Wayne Baize and Xiang Zhang.
For discounted room rates at the Overton Hotel, call (806) 776-7000 and ask for Ranching Heritage Summer Stampede room block. For more information on Summer Stampede, visit summerstampede.com.