The Briscoe Western Art Museum (San Antonio, TX) raised more than $1.85 million in total art sales during the opening weekend of the 2019 Night of Artists Art Sale & Exhibition. This year’s show is the largest to date, with 277 works of painting, sculpture, and mixed media by some of the country’s leading Western artists. Proceeds from the sale benefit the educational programs, exhibitions, and collections of the Briscoe Western Art Museum.
“It was such a special weekend for all attendees,” stated Nicole McClane, 2019 Night of Artists Committee Chair. “Something we focused on this year was catering to every audience during the Night of Artists opening weekend. Whether an attendee was a seasoned collector, an artist, or a patron, we wanted to supply them with a memorable experience.”
The 2019 Artists Award Dinner and Live Auction held Friday, March 29, drew art sales of more than $600,000. The following evening, Saturday, March 30, the Luck of the Draw Sale and Reception took place and commanded nearly $1.3 million in art sales. Notable sales included artist Martin Grelle’s “Shoshone Searchers,” which sold for $118,750 and artist Z. S. Liang’s “Horse Medicine Man,” which sold for $62,500.
The 2019 Night of the Artists opening weekend was attended by more than 900 artists, sponsors, and guests. Internationally recognized artists participating in the show include Billy Schenck, Mark Maggiori, Martin Grelle, Z. S. Liang, Bonnie Marris, John Coleman, Mary Ross Buchholz, George Hallmark, Kent Ullberg, and Kim Wiggins.
Night of Artists 2019 award winners include the following:
- Briscoe Museum Purchase Award: Ralph Oberg, “Prairie Sundown,” oil on linen, 40 x 55 in.
- David Crockett Award for Artists’ Choice: Mick Doellinger, “Incoming,” bronze, 30 x 18 x 14 in.
- Sam Houston Award for Painting: Jeremy Conrad Winborg, “Beauty of the Desert,” oil, 40 x 25 in.
- James Bowie Award for Sculpture: John Coleman, “He Who Jumps Over Everything,” bronze, 64 x 24 x 17 in.
- William B. Travis Award for Patrons’ Choice: Greg Beecham, “August Rumblings,” oil, 36 x 24 in.
The public exhibition and sale continue through May 5, 2019, at the Briscoe Museum’s Jack Guenther Pavilion, located at 210 W. Market Street on the San Antonio River Walk, with all unsold artwork available for purchase. The exhibition is free to the public with museum admission. Now in its 18th year, the Briscoe’s annual fundraising event includes the representation of 80 artists, the Bison Society Collectors Summit, and a live art auction.
Preview the exhibition catalog and extensive collection of art on the Briscoe Museum’s website gallery.
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