Western art and bolo ties
Serious collectors — for example, those in a position to buy one of two $36,000 airbrush acrylics by featured artist Don Coen or “Hunter’s Moon,” a $22,000 oil by Denver artist Eldridge Hardie — were out in force.
So, too, were those content to browse a gallery filled with works by Duke Beardsley, Joellyn Duesberry, Quang Ho and about 70 other painters and sculptors from as far away as Canada and Germany.
But what united the capacity crowd at Tuesday’s Red Carpet Reception for the 2016 Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale was a fellowship shared by those who appreciate the Western way of life. Even if they are city slickers.
“I’m all hat and no cattle,” explained retired Denver dentist Julika Ambrose as she enjoyed dinner in the company of friends Carolyn Schaefer Wollard; former Red Carpet Reception chair Ann Daley; Carole and Leo Hayward; and glass artist Ann Wolff. “But I do enjoy the Western lifestyle, so once a year I drag all of this out.”
The “this” included a black cowboy hat and an embellished suede blazer accessorized with a vintage squash blossom necklace.
Bolo ties were popular with the men. The advisory committee chair, Dr. Steven Kick, wore a Navajo pawn cast silver tie while Dr. William Hiatt’s featured turquoise and jet inlay.
The 1,000 guests at the event chaired by Kathy Coors helped raise $1 million for the National Western Scholarship Trust, which provides financial aid to college students preparing to become the next generation of agribusiness leaders and rural medicine practitioners. The figure is expected to increase because the art not sold that night will remain on sale from Jan. 9-24 on the third floor of the Expo Hall on the National Western Stock Show grounds, 4655 Humboldt St.
Coors and her husband, Brad, were Gold Patrons of the reception and also had the honor of presenting the Best of Show Award, a $2,500 grant to Teresa Elliott of Alpine, Texas, for her oil titled “Brahman Cow.” Elliott had five oil paintings in the 2016 show and says her goal as an artist is to “reveal a powerful visual statement through attention paid to color relationships, design and paint handling.”
Other Gold Patrons were Carol Burt and Ray Hilliard. MillerCoors was the Title Sponsor; Official Sponsors were Henry and Lorie Gordon, Anadarko Petroleum and the Dea Family Foundation.
Ron Williams, chairman of the National Western Stock Show board of directors, was there with his wife, Cille, and said that the Red Carpet Reception marked the start of a busy several days. He was going to participate in the Thursday downtown kickoff parade, Friday’s Boots & Business Luncheon and attend all three Saturday rodeos.
Others there to support the cause and enjoy a buffet supper from K-M Concessions were Pete and Marilyn Coors; stock show president Paul Andrews and his predecessor, Pat Grant; Friends of The Haven president Bill Winn; Denver Zoo trustees Louis Clinton and Katie Schoelzel with their spouses, Sue Clinton and Scott Schoelzel; Kathy Coors’ parents, Boots and Dr. Bob Safford; Bruce and Jill Dines; Buck and Janelle Blessing; Rockmount Ranch Wear’s Steve and Wendy Weil; Nancy Petry; and Amanda Boswell, co-chair of the show and sale’s Young Guns committee.