About the Western Art Show and Sale

Thirty five years ago a group of dedicated artists and art enthusiasts, who looked to George Phippen as their friend and mentor, established the first ever 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 Wakeland and Mary Scott, among others. They all shared the dream of building a Western Art Museum right here in Prescott in honor of George Phippen and his legacy. Ten years later the Phippen Museum of Western Art opened its doors to the public. The Phippen Memorial Western Art Show and Sale continues to be the Phippen Museum’s principal fundraiser.

On May 29-31, 2010 the George Phippen Memorial Foundation and the Phippen Museum will celebrate the 36th Annual Phippen Memorial Western Art Show and Sale, on the grounds of the historic Courthouse Plaza in downtown Prescott. This highly anticipated event continues to be Arizona’s premier outdoor Western Art show. It features over 120 of the very best western artists from all over North America presenting Art of the American West in oil, watercolor, acrylic, mixed media, pastels, sculpture, and drawings. Event hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Memorial Day. Admission is free.

In addition to the Show and Sale on the Courthouse Plaza, the Phippen Museum plans a number of other events to round out the holiday weekend both on and off the Courthouse Plaza. Two popular events are the Saturday and Sunday “Quick Draw” art demonstrations where professional artists create a work of art in only 45 minutes and then auction them to the crowd. Also on Saturday and Sunday, docents from the Phippen Museum will have drop-in art projects for kids and young adults at the Courthouse Gazebo. For a nominal five dollar fee, young people can participate in one of the projects and take home their very own work of art. Space is limited but you can register in advance by calling the Phippen Museum.

An evening full of events takes place at the Denim to Diamonds Gala Dinner, Live Art Auction and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 29 at the Prescott Resort. After live music and cocktails, Phippen guests will enjoy a gourmet dinner prepared by the staff at the Prescott Resort and a live art auction of 20 amazing works of art hosted by renowned Western saddle maker and auctioneer Carson Thomas. The evening will conclude with a presentation ceremony for this year’s award winning artists. Tickets for the Gala are $75 each and can be purchased through the Museum’s web site or by calling the Museum.

Throughout the month of May, the Phippen Museum will again host the 7th anniversary of our very successful Miniature Masterpieces Show & Sale. This special art sale-by-draw for the Phippen Museum features spectacular drawings, paintings and sculptures by some of the biggest names in Western Art — in smaller, more affordable sizes. The Miniature Masterpieces Show & Sale begins on Friday, May 1, 2010 at the Phippen Museum and will run the entire month of May. Come by anytime during May to view these masterpieces and if you see one you like you can fill out an Intent-To-Purchase form. During the Phippen Memorial Show and Sale weekend (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday) admission to the Museum will be free. The actual Sale-By-Draw will be held at 11 a.m. on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31st at the Phippen Museum.