Oct. 22, 2014

Trappings of the American West

Fine and functional art

of the American cowboy

is featured at 23^rd Annual

Trappings of the American

West Exhibition & Sale

at the Museum of

Northern Arizona.

Damascus steel spur by Larry Fuegen

Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) celebrates the time-honored tradition of Western craftsmanship at the 23rd Annual Trappings of the American West Exhibition & Sale, Sept. 28-Dec. 7, presented in partnership with the Dry Creek Arts Fellowship (DCAF).

The exhibition and sale features work by 80 of the country’s top Western artists from 14 Western states and Hawaii, including members of the Cowboy Artists of America, Traditional Cowboy Arts Association and the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.

The fine art selection includes paintings, bronze sculpture and photography, and functional gear like saddles, tooled leather, bits and spurs, boots, hats, knives, engraving, hitched horsehair and braided rawhide.

Trappings connects visitors to the history of the country’s rural West culture, rooted in the principles of tradition, family, integrity and hard work.

“It is refreshing to know that here in the West, traditions and art forms evolving from horse culture and the cattle industry are still cherished and nurtured,” said Dry Creek Arts Fellowship Executive Director Linda Stedman. “Each artist has spent countless hours in their shops and studios working with tools and techniques learned from masters.”

“The exhibition explores the richness and complexity of cowboy heritage and artistic expressions,” adds Museum of Northern Arizona President and CEO Dr. Robert Breunig. “It also forges a strong connection to western traditions here on the Colorado Plateau.”

Ca Smith, beaded bag ………………………

A series of public programs in conjunction with the exhibition and sale will broaden the scope and variety of public engagement with the iconic figure of the American cowboy.

Oct. 19, 1 p.m. l Riding the Rim: 12th Annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Poets from around the state will stir the air as only cowboys can with poetry, song and open range entertainment. This gathering brings the Arizona cowboy into perspective through stereotypes, history of the cowboy in Arizona and the living tradition.

Oct. 25-26, 1 p.m. l The Spanish Barb: Arizona’s First Horse. Photographer Raechel Running will present her documentary work on the living legend of this important Arizona breed of Colonial Spanish horse. The combination of great beauty, athletic ability and historic importance makes the Spanish Barb significant to Western heritage. Presented as part of the Museum of Northern Arizona’s 11th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente Festival.

Nov. 15, 1 p.m. l The Grandest Ride: A captivating body of work by award-winning photographer Tom Brownold based on his recent documentary at the Grand Canyon. Brownold’s subjects are the sure-footed mules of the South Rim, valuable transporters of supplies and visitors over the past century.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF NORTHERN ARIZONA: Located three miles north of historic downtown Flagstaff on Highway 180, the museum's mission is to inspire a sense of love and responsibility for the beauty and diversity of the Colorado Plateau through collecting, studying, interpreting and preserving the region’s natural and cultural heritage. Founded in 1928 by zoologist Dr. Harold S. Colton and artist Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton, MNA was originally established as a repository for Native American artifacts and natural history specimens from the Colorado Plateau. Today, MNA offers more than 450 public programs annually, including exhibit and collection tours, a docent education program, the Discovery Program for children and teens, the adult education Ventures Program, a volunteer program, the Heritage Program art and cultural festivals, publications and a variety of lectures and forums. For more information, visit musnaz.org or call 928-774-5213.

ABOUT THE DRY CREEK ARTS FELLOWSHIP: Founded in 1996, the educational and charitable non-profit provides a base of support for the preservation and future development of Western Art. The organization fulfills its mission through the annual presentation of Trappings of the American West, artist residencies and multiple public programs. For more information, visit drycreekarts.com.