Show Preview | Small Works, Great Wonders

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City will open its 26th annual Small Works, Great Wonders show on November 7. The signature sale happens on November 13 after which unsold work remains on view and available for purchase until November 29. The over 130 participating artists, 17 of them new to the exhibition, represent 24 U.S. states as well as France, Ontario and British Columbia. Each of them is encouraged to contribute two pieces of artwork—last year, 254 works were on display.

Among the exhibitors this year are William Acheff, Greg Beecham, Eric Bowman, Naomi Brown, Shawn Cameron, Kim Casebeer, Mikel Donahue, Martin Grelle, Walt Gonske, Hannah Harper, Tony Hochstetler, David Jonason, Alice Leese, Melinda Littlejohn, Lena Noble, Dustin Payne, Laura Robb, Richie Vios, Don Weller and more.

“The most exciting part of each year is seeing what artwork the artists bring,” says Susan Patterson, the museum’s curator of special exhibits. “We get to see the digital images, but it’s opening the crates and boxes that is the most exciting part of the show. With so many new artists joining this year, it will be wonderful to see what they contribute to the exhibit. We strive to have both new and established artists, giving the collector an opportunity to purchase across a large variety of styles, subject matter and price points.”

Oil and acrylic paintings; pen, ink and graphite drawings; and bronze and glass sculptures are all part of this variety. Two-dimensional works will be no larger than 320 square inches unframed, and three-dimensional works no larger than 20 by 20 by 20 inches.

“This is a cash and carry show, so we really hope visitors walk away with a piece of artwork!” says Marla Cook, who is the museum’s manager of sale shows. “This show is one of our favorite events for buyers, attendees and museum staff. We ultimately hope that people leave with happy memories and come back year after year to add to their collections.” She adds that the show is an excellent occasion for beginner collectors and connoisseurs alike who are looking to acquire smaller pieces.

To add to the excitement, exhibiting artists Rachel Brownlee and Tyler Crow have been asked to participate in the museum’s prestigious Prix de West invitational in 2027, making for a total of 16 Prix de West artists who are participating in Small Works, Great Wonders. Cook, like Patterson, notes that getting a first look at all of the artists’ different contributions is always a treat. “We have such a diverse range of styles that each piece is very unique,” she says. “I think it’s exciting to see what new artists submit for the show, but at the same time it is an amazing opportunity to see our seasoned Prix de West artists produce smaller pieces just for this event.”

Another notable component of the exhibition each year is the presentation of the Cynthia Post Memorial Award, which honors the museum’s former assistant director of development from 2003 to 2009. She played a key role in founding Small Works, Great Wonders and was known for her service to others and the museum even as she courageously battled cancer. The award was introduced in 2009 as a buyer’s choice award, but since 2022 it has been given to recognize artistic merit. —Sara Beck

contact informationswgw.nationalcowboymuseum.org

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

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