The sale of the 48th Annual Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition & Sale isn’t the only aspect of the nation’s premier Western art exhibition and sale that’s gone virtual: In a format befitting of 2020, the Prix de West committee presented the 2020 awards virtually to the winning artists recently via video conference.
“We wanted the thrill and excitement of announcing this year’s winners to come through even if we were hosting the announcement virtually,” said Natalie Shirley, The Cowboy’s president. “These winners are truly deserving, and it was wonderful to gather and celebrate them, even if it was from a safe distance this year.”
In addition, The Cowboy is pleased to offer a fully virtual tour of the entire Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition. The virtual tour, produced by 3D Scans Plus, allows Western art enthusiasts from around the world to tour the entire Prix de West exhibition and view each piece of art as if they were standing in the gallery. View the virtual tour and online catalog at nationalcowboymuseum.org/prixdewest.
48th Annual Prix de West Invitational Art Show Winners
Prix de West Purchase Award: Bill Anton received the top-honored Prix de West Purchase Award, which is given to the artist whose work of art is selected by the Prix de West Committee and purchased for the Museum’s permanent collection.
Anton won for his painting titled “Makeshift Ambulance” (shown at top). In addition to the purchase price, Anton will receive the Prix de West medallion and an award of $5,000 sponsored by Roberta M. Eldridge Miller.
“I’ve done this show for 23 years and it’s been a joy in my life,” said Anton. “It’s an honor just to be in the same building as the other Prix de West artists.” In 2009, Anton won both the Prix de West Robert Lougheed Memorial Award and the Express Ranches Great American Cowboy Award. He captured the Express Ranches award again in 2011 and 2018.
“We want to congratulate Bill on his exceptional work and the recognition of the Purchase Award this year,” Shirley said. “He is an exceptional talent in the Western Art world, and we are honored to add this piece to the Museum’s permanent collection.”
Other 2020 Prix de West award winners:
Donald Teague Memorial Award
An award of $3,000 for exceptional artistic merit for a work on paper, sponsored by Scottsdale Art Auction.
Winner: Scott Burdick, “Ponca Nation”
36″ x 24″
Express Ranches Great American Cowboy Award
An award of $3,000 for best cowboy subject matter, sponsored by Robert A. Funk and Express Ranches.
Winner: Carrie L. Ballantyne, “Young Hand”
James Earle Fraser Sculpture Award
An award of $3,000 for exceptional artistic merit for a sculpture, sponsored by the Charlie Russell Riders in honor of Steve Rose.
Winner: Harold T. Holden, “Strike Lightning”
Major General and Mrs. Don D. Pittman Wildlife Award
An award of $3,000 for exceptional artistic merit for a wildlife painting or sculpture, sponsored by the Estate of the late Major General and Mrs. Don D. Pittman.
Winner: Andrew Peters, “Pleistocene Messengers”
Wilson Hurley Memorial Award
An award of $3,000 for exceptional artistic merit for a landscape, sponsored by Rod Moore.
Winner: Ralph Oberg, “A Remnant of Wildness”
32″ x 48″
Robert Lougheed Memorial Award
An award of $3,000 for best display of three or more works chosen by Prix de West exhibiting artists, sponsored by Barbara and Roger Simons in memory of Faydra and George Simons, true Western enthusiasts.
Winner: Matt Smith, “North Fork Creek,” “North Wash Autumn,” “Point Lobos” and “The San Miguel in Winter”
Visit the Prix de West and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum online at nationalcowboymuseum.org.
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View the collection and bid
All art remains on display through September 13, and all but the Purchase Award winner are available for purchase in this year’s proxy-bid-only virtual sale. Proxy bids for the fixed-bid sale will be accepted until the night of the sale September 12, when the typical in-person sale will be replaced with an exciting virtual experience. To view the virtual tour and online catalog, as well as more details on submitting proxy bids, visit nationalcowboymuseum.org/prixdewest.
