Ranching and Rodeos: The Historical Connection

Prescott and the Tri-City area has a rich ranching heritage. The World's Oldest Rodeo began in Prescott in 1888. Rodeo was born out of a working cowboy's tasks of roping calves for branding, breaking ranch horses and other tasks and talents used to gather and care for cattle on the open range. The Phippen Museum was built on a hillside of the Deep Well Ranch as a Center of American Western Art. It seems appropriate that the Museum bring Ranching and Rodeo together into one great art exhibit. This exhibition of drawings, paintings, sculptures and historical artifacts will depict this important Western Cultural relationship. Many renowned Western artists, such as Bill Owen, CA, Cynthia Rigden, Bill Nebeker, CA, Shawn Cameron, will be represented in this exhibit.

Conversations & Programs

• Saturday, July 9 ­ 2 to 4 pm
  Come enjoy the afternoon at the Phippen Museum. Watch the "Ranch Album Video" with your host, Gail Steiger, producer of the video, singer, and manager of the Spider Ranch. This video, shown on PBS, documents the "working cowboy" on local ranches.
• Saturday, July 23

  11 am to 4 pm
  Merry Nebeker & John Higgins will conduct guided tours of the Ranching & Rodeos Exhibit.
  Free with Price of Admission.

  1 pm to 4 pm
  Paint Demonstration with Bill Anton, renowned Western Artist
  Free to Museum Members
  $10.00 per person

  Future Western Artists Contest
  Come to the Phippen Museum and create a Colored Pencil Drawing. First Place Winners' art will be professionally framed. Elementary, Middle, & High School Categories
  $1.00 Entry Fee per future artist.

• Saturday, August 6 ­ 2 to 4 pm
  Cynthia Rigden, local ranch owner and manager will host a slide presentation on the history of the Rigden Ranch and her many-faceted art career.
• Friday, August 19 ­ 5 to 9 pm
  Cowboy Poets' Reception - Hosted by the Phippen Museum
  Featuring Dave Stamey, Jim Dunham, and Gail Starr
• Saturday, August 27 ­ 2 pm
  Yavapai Cowbelles of Arizona
  Presentation of the history of the Cowbelles, their purpose and quilt display. Free with admission.
• Sunday, August 28 ­ 1 to 4 pm
  Merry Nebeker and John Higgins guided tour of Ranching & Rodeo Exhibit. Free with admission.
• Saturday, September 10 ­ 5 pm
  

  Fall Gathering, Barbeque & Branding
  Come join us for a fun evening honoring local ranchers! Dinner, branding, and entertainment. When the Phippen Museum opened, local ranchers placed their brands on our front porch. From all reports, it was an exciting event! We are adding to our display. Don't miss it! Seating is limited. Reservations are required
  $16.00 per person. Sponsored by: The Preserve

  Raffle Drawing
  Cynthia Rigden "R & R" (Rest & Recuperation).
  Bronze longhorn steer, 10" long, 8" wide, 4" High. Value: $1,200
  Raffle Tickets are available at the Phippen Museum. $10/1 ticket; $15/2 tickets.

• Sunday, September 11 ­ 2 to 4 pm
  Jeff Wanee, CPF ­ How Do You Protect Your Art Investment?
  Learn some simple steps you can do to protect your art and how it should be displayed, so you can enjoy it for years to come. Jeff Wanee, CPF, will lecture, show samples, and answer questions on the proper methods to preserve your art. Mr. Wanee has been framing for 32 years, has taught other framers all over the U. S., and helped write the Certified Picture Framing program of the Professional Picture Framers Assn. Free with admission.
• Saturday, September 17 ­ 2 pm
  Carson Thomas, Saddle maker
  The Evolution of the Saddle ­ Mid 1870's to today.
  Raised in cow camps and saddle shops from Montana to Arizona, Carson Thomas (from Wickenburg) has the west in his veins. His custom saddles and leatherwork are in strong demand by working cowboys, western collectors, and personalities, including former president, Ronald Reagan. Carson, a professional auctioneer, specializes in Western and Native American collectibles. He will act as auctioneer at the Make-A-Wish/Phippen Museum Cowboy Tux Ball on July 23, 2005. Free with admission.
• Sunday, September 25 ­ 1 to 4 pm
  Merry Nebeker and John Higgins guided tour of Ranching & Rodeo Exhibit. Free with admission.