Prior to the opening of the 45th annual Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale’s Live Auction Gallery, a carefully selected panel of judges studied the 107 two-dimensional and three-dimensional works in the exhibition. The judges ultimately selected eight artists whose pieces best reflect the mission of the Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale (BBAS) and represent exceptional craft and quality. The judges announced these eight winners during the Opening Reception generously sponsored by the Chamberlin Inn on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
More from the organizers:
A BBAS subcommittee invites judges who represent three distinct categories within the art world, namely:
- Art education and mentorship
- Art business
- Private collectors
This year, the three judges were Betse Grassby, Executive Director at the Steamboat Art Museum in Steamboat Springs, CO, Andy & Amy Krane, Publishers of Art of the West Magazine, Minneapolis, MN, and Jim & Ginger Dager, Cody, WY, arts collectors, patrons, and sponsors of the Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale.
After judging was completed, Grassby remarked “it has been an incredible honor to be a part of this process. There sure is a lot of good artwork in this room!” and Jim Dager added “there sure is. That’s what makes this job so tough.” Ginger Dager also expressed her appreciation for what the show means to Cody, saying “Cody and Western art just go together.”
BBAS would like to thank The Collier Group for the generous sponsorship of all three monetary awards below.
The Spirit of the Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale Award
This award recognizes the artwork that is most representative of the Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale in terms of location, history, and the grandeur embodied by the “spirit” of the American West. The judges awarded this honor to “Valley of the Giants, Romans 15:13,” a 24- x 48-inch oil painting by Thomas Kegler. The painting depicts a herd of bison in Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley at break of day. The dawning sun illuminates an atmospheric mist rising from a stream of thermal water.
“It captures the timeless open landscape of the West,” said Andy Krane, “the light, shadow, reflection, and mist in a dramatic yet serene way.”
Grassby appreciated the “ethereal quality of the mist which underscores the serenity and independence of the West.” Jim Dager called the piece “timeless” and Ginger Dager observed that “the light and feeling we got from watching the morning mist rise across the valley created a calm that could be viewed on an early-morning Yellowstone trip today, or on horseback in 1857.”
When notified of his selection by phone, artist Thomas Kegler recalled his experience browsing the online catalog of artwork earlier this month. Kegler said, “I’m insanely honored and floored . . . This is an unspeakable honor, because there’s an insanely strong presence of artwork this year.”
Two-Dimensional Award
The judges selected “Full Curl” by Adam Smith as the best in show for two-dimensional artwork. Smith’s acrylic painting is 20 x 31 inches and depicts the head and horns of a mature bighorn sheep presented in a highly detailed, realistic style.
Amy Krane observed, “’Full Curl’ draws the viewer from across the room with the dappled light and incredible detail. Jim and Ginger Dager called Smith’s painting “realistic beyond words,” while Grassby added that “the treatment of light captured in the detail of this work truly stands out.”
Three-Dimensional Award
The judges selected “Dawn of America” by Vic Payne as the three-dimensional best in show. Payne’s piece is a bronze that measures 24 x 24 x 12 inches. The artist’s subject matter is a figurative representation of Lewis & Clark with Sacagawea, pointing toward an unseen point on the horizon.
Andy Krane remarked “Vic Payne captures the ‘Dawn of America’ masterfully, portraying the westward expansion and future discovery.” Grassby complimented the design and finishing on the piece, saying that “the detail and patina of these iconic explorers of the West bring them to life.”
Judges’ Awards of Excellence
As a mark of the overall quality of the 45th Annual Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale, the judges felt it necessary to present five additional Awards of Excellence. They felt the following pieces required recognition for their design, execution, and embodying of the Western spirit:
For more information or to register for events, please visit buffalobillartshow.org.
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Story prepared for the web by Cherie Dawn Haas, Editor of Fine Art Today
