Show Preview | Western Art Show & Sale

After more than five decades, the Phippen Museum’s Western Art Show & Sale—held each year in Prescott, Arizona, over Memorial Day weekend—continues to resonate with both artists and collectors.

The museum’s executive director Edd Kellerman says it’s no secret why. “Participating artists can be confident in the caliber of fine art exhibited alongside their own, as well as the presence of large, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic audiences of art devotees,” he explains. “Plus collectors recognize the show as an important catalyst in the careers of many of today’s leading figures in Western art.” Those artists have included John Coleman, Martin Grelle, Bill Nebeker and Alvin Marshall, to name just a few.

Founded in 1984 and named in honor of George Phippen—co-founder and first president of the Cowboy Artists of America—the museum was envisioned by Phippen and his wife as a place that would champion Western art, which they considered the truest American art form, through the lens of young, emerging artists.

For Kellerman, that vision is fully realized through this annual event, which he says consistently presents “exceptional artwork that vividly brings to life the characters, wildlife, landscapes and enduring stories of the American West.”

Although this distinctly American art form has shifted between traditional and stylized interpretations over time, Kellerman says that regardless of approach, it is the masters of the genre who continue to inspire the next generation of artists. He says, “It is through that enduring influence that reflects each year in the remarkable diversity of artists, media, techniques and perspectives represented at our annual Western Art Show.”

The weekend is also known for its accessibility—the chance to meet artists, watch painting quick draws and enjoy free admission—all of which invite a direct connection between artist and audience. Events throughout the weekend cultivate meaningful exchanges between viewers and makers. The Hometown Hoedown Dinner, for instance, offers an evening of Western hospitality with cocktails, live entertainment and a ranch-style dinner, all while mingling with participating artists. Also featured is the 23rd annual Miniature Masterpiece Show & Sale, showcasing small works by more than 70 renowned Western artists. The pieces will be sold at fixed prices in a by-draw sale where luck determines the buyers.

As Kellerman explains, for those experiencing the Western Art Show & Sale for the first time, it is the museum’s hope that visitors gain a renewed appreciation for the American West and the artists whose work brings it to life. From the rugged beauty of the Southwest to the often-unseen cowboys, ranchers and Native Americans who continue to uphold the time-honored traditions of their forebears, Kellerman says he also hopes visitors recognize the dedication of a small, welcoming Arizona community that remembers, celebrates, and reveres this proud 52-year event. —Doreen Manning

contact information(928) 778-1385phippenartmuseum.org

This story appeared in the April/May 2026 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Subscribe today to read every issue in its entirety.

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