George Hallmark, "A Father’s Gift," oil on linen

Painted scenes of sharp mountain peaks, cattle congregated around bales of hay, and Native American women draped in detailed floral shawls hang on adjoining walls of the exhibition hall. Bronze and marble sculptures of mountain lions and rodeo cowboys fill the space in between. Every year, potential art buyers from all over the country explore the Prix de West Invitational Exhibition and Art Sale at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, where for the weekend, the West reaches out from canvas and sculpture to pull viewers in.

Glenn Dean, "Afternoon Sun," oil

Susan Patterson, curator of special exhibits and organizer of Prix de West, says the captivating variety of more than three hundred contemporary Western works is a hallmark of the event.

Sandy Scott, "American Icon," bronze

“As the artwork begins to arrive and the show starts taking shape, it is exciting to see the varied viewpoints of the American West portrayed by each artist,” she says.

Patterson says the sale portion of the exhibition is the museum’s largest annual fundraiser. In 2016 alone, artists sold 198 pieces, and the sale raised more than $2.8 million for the museum. In addition to the art sale, Prix de West also hosts seminars open to the public, art demonstrations, and a live auction.

Brent Cotton, "Embers of Twilight," oil on linen

A highlight in the whirlwind of art and celebration during Prix de West weekend is the presentation of the exalted Prix de West Purchase Award. Each year since 1973, the exhibition committee has selected a piece from the works to purchase and add to the museum’s permanent collection. In 1993, Allan Houser won the award for his piece Smoke Signal. The Oklahoma native, whose parents belonged to the Chiricahua Apache tribe, is perhaps best known for As Long As the Waters Flow, which stands outside the State Capitol.

Bonnie Marris, "The Takeaway," oil

In Oklahoma, the art of the West is the art of the state itself. Whether it’s a scene of cattle, tepees, or rolling plains, Prix de West allows visitors to see a frozen moment, framed and hung on a wall, and celebrate the artists who captured it.

Z.S. Liang, "Friendly Finish to Trading, Upper Missouri River, 1808," oil on linen

The 2022 Prix de West show is June 2-August 7, 2022. The Prix de West sale is June 17 and 18, 2022. Learn more at nationalcowboymuseum.org.

Written By

Leighona Bernstein