News Update... Masters of the American West Fine Art Sale Sets $4.7 Million Record
A sold out Autry National Center Masters of the American West Fine Art Exhibition and Sale set a new sales record of $4.7 million for the 11th annual event, John Geraghty, a trustee and special advisor to the Masters told OldWestNewWest.Com. Highlights of the 2008 event included the sale of Howard Terpning’s Hard Trails Wore Out More Than Ponies (see image below) for $1.25 million as well as record-setting bids for works by Mian Situ and Morgan Weistling. “Howard’s work consistently goes for over a million dollars,” Geraghty said. “I felt confident that it would go for $1.1 million or a little above, so obviously I was pleased to see it go for $1.25 million. In fact, there were four bids that were over $1.2 million.” Major collectors from across the United States and several foreign countries were among the 750 persons in attendance for Feb. 2’s sale, but there was something else that got Geraghty excited. “The thing that we’re extremely pleased with is that about 20 to 25 percent were first time buyers,” he said. “The idea is to bring in new people so that they can enjoy the art.” He also said the interest in the exhibition and sale was better than ever. “I think that the genre is becoming more popular because people honestly are recognizing that it represents the history of our country and it’s our art form, and these are great artists,” he added. The art exhibition closed March 2. The Autry’s 2009 Masters of the American West Fine Art Exhibition and Sale is scheduled for Saturday, February 7 through Sunday, March 8, and will present new works by more than 70 of the nation’s leading contemporary Western artists.
2008 Top Artists’ Silent Sealed-Bid Auction
• Howard Terpning, Hard Trails Wore Out More Than Ponies, oil, 40 x 50 in. $1,251,001 • Mian Situ, San Francisco, April 18, 1906, oil, 46 x 76 in. $576,100 • Morgan Weistling, The First Dance, 1884 Americana, oil, 40 x 60 in $286,100 • William Acheff, Corn Dancer, oil, 30 x 20 in. $68,600 • Ken Carlson, Woodland Royalty, oil on board, 30 x 40 in. $50,101
Autry's Masters of the American West Art Exhibit, Sale Underway
11th Annual Western Fine Art Event in Los Angeles to Showcase More Than 70 Contenporary Western Artists
More than 70 nationally and internationally recognized contemporary Western artists will participate in this year’s 11th Annual Autry National Center “Masters of the American West Fine Art Exhibition and Sale” taking place Feb. 2 through March 2 at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles. According to the Autry National Center, the “Masters of the American West Fine Art Exhibition and Sale” has become the nation’s most important Western art show.
Stylistically and thematically diverse, the works represent the extraordinary range of subject matter that contemporary, historic, and mythic Western experiences continue to inspire. “The Autry’s Masters exhibition shows the extraordinary range of influence and creativity that the West continues to inspire in artists,” said John Geraghty, Autry National Center trustee and special advisor to Masters. Among the returning artists are William Acheff, Dennis Doheny, Richard V. Greeves, Robert Griffing, Jim Norton, Daniel Pinkham, Kevin Red Star, Mian Situ, and the legendary Howard Terpning.
“Hard Trails Wore Out More Than Ponies,” a 40- by 50-inch oil by renowned artist Howard Terpning, will be one of the items on exhibit at this year’s Masters event. Image courtesy Howard Terpning and the Autry National Center
The exhibition and sale opens to the public on Sunday, Feb. 3. All of the artwork will remain on exhibit through March 2.On Saturday, Feb. 2, the Masters opens with special programs and exhibition viewing. Autry patrons can view the exhibition from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and attend special artist presentations and a chuck wagon luncheon. Following will be an evening cocktail reception culminating in the sale of the works. There will be opportunities to participate in a silent bid process and intent-to-purchase drawings for these exceptional works of art.
“San Francisco, April 18, 1906,” a 46- by 76-inch oil by Mian Situ, focuses on the aftermath of San Francisco’s devastating 1906 earthquake. It also will be on exhibit. Image courtesy Mian Situ and the Autry National Center
For a complete list of artists, visit www.AutryNationalCenter.org. For event and ticket information, call Janet Reilly at (323) 667.2000, ext. 317. The Museum of the American West at the Autry National Center provides learning opportunities by exploring the myths and realities of the American West and its diverse populations. The museum collects, preserves, and interprets objects and art, making connections between people of today and those who have shaped the past. The Autry National Center is located in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park at 4700 Western Heritage Way, across from the Los Angeles Zoo. Admission is $9 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and $3 for children. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and on major holidays except Thanksgiving and Christmas. On Thursdays, from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the museum and museum store are open until 8 p.m. Parking is free.
