Masters of the American West

Los Angeles, CA

During a panel about his art and career at the Autry Museum of the American West, painter Kim Wiggins focused on the idea of the New West, a contemporary movement within Western art that springs from modernism, regionalism and other important developments from the mid20th century. Inside the nearby exhibition, the artwork—old West, New West and everything in between—was uniting veteran collectors and young, aspiring collectors who have been smitten by Western art.

Art has a way of bringing people together, and that certainly was evident February 8 at the Masters of the American West, the Autry’s annual sale and exhibition that celebrates the work of many of the top Western artists creating today. This year’s show, which sold nearly $1 million in a by-draw sale, saw important new works from artists such as

Logan Maxwell Hagege, Mark Maggiori, Eric Bowman, Howard Post, Grant Redden, Roseta Santiago, Oreland Joe and many others. Artists who sold all of their displayed works included Mark Maggiori, Wiggins and longtime Masters participant Gayle Garner Roski.

Top award winners were Kim Wiggins for the Stories of the West Award, Steve Kestrel won the Bob Kuhn Wildlife Award, Mick Doellinger won the top sculpture award, Len Chmiel won the Artists’ Choice Award, Maggiori won the Patrons’ Choice Award, Terri Kelly Moyers won the Gene Autry Memorial Award for her outstanding presentation of three or more works, and Daniel W. Pinkham won the Thomas Moran Memorial Award for Painting. Tony Abeyta won the museum purchase award for his massive 60-inch-tall modernist volcano painting, New Formations.

Texas still life painter Kyle Polzin won the Masters Best of Show Award for his piece Buckin’ at the County Fair. Polzin, who was inside the gallery when the awards were announced nearby, just happened to walk outside when his name was called. “I just heard my name so I walked up. I didn’t even know it was the best of show until much later,” he said in the gallery afterward. “It’s always an honor to get an award at a show, and when I found out that it was the best of show I was just sort of stunned.”

In addition to the discussion with Wiggins, there was also a presentation by Billy Schenck about his work and studio, as well as a miniature sale. A returning tradition to this year’s event was a festive post-show party that featured live music and dancing, food stations and a lively atmosphere that encouraged visitors to linger at the museum.

Kyle Polzin with Buckin’ at the County Fair, which won the Masters Best of Show Award. Crowds gather before the Friday night dinner at the Masters of the American West.

1. Leann Murphy, left, with Lorena Chavez, Beau Alexander, Andrew Roda, Mark Maggiori, Western Art Collector’s Cami Beaugureau, Logan Maxwell Hagege and Andrea Vargas. 2. Painters Grant Redden, left, and James Morgan. 3. Artists Tim Solliday, left, and G. Russell Case. 4. Award winners Daniel W. Pinkham, left, Terri Kelly Moyers, Len Chmiel, Tony Abeyta, Steve Kestrel, Mick Doellinger, Kim Wiggins and Kyle Polzin. 5. John and Terri Kelly Moyers with their son and daughter in law. 6. Mark Maggiori with photograph Zoë Urness, left, and Jacqueline Conner. 7. Bill Nebeker with one of his bronzes. 8. Kim Wiggins with his wife Maria, on left, and their daughters Eden and Rebekah. 9. Mark Maggiori with his 1-year-old daughter Wilderness. 10. Eric Bowman with one of his Masters paintings.