WINNEMUCCA — Labor Day weekend, Western artists and craftsmen, cowboy poets and quick-draw sketchers will gather to pay tribute to the Western Art Roundup.
The annual show and sale will celebrate its 37th anniversary from Friday, Aug. 30, through Sunday, Sep. 1, at the East Hall of the Winnemucca Convention Center.
The event has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1983. Founder Carl Hammond said just 12 artists were featured that year. Still, the Roundup received rave reviews and was featured in “Art West” magazine.
Since that time, the show and sale has grown, not only in artist participation, but in the quality of art it produces—art that has ranged from braiding and bit and spur making to custom saddlery, the horsehair arts and custom boot making.
This year alone, the show will feature hundreds of original art works by juried artists and craftsmen.
The 36th annual Roundup will open from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, August 30. A fundraising banquet will take place at 5 p.m. At that time, inductees into the Buckaroo Hall of Fame will be honored. A juried art panel will also honor those artists who best depict the authentic buckaroo life.
The highlight of the evening will be the bestowal of the coveted Roundup Award, reserved for the best artwork of buckaroo heritage in two categories. The prize is a handcrafted pair of silver-mounted
The Snaffle Bit Award goes to the runner-up of the buckaroo heritage artwork, and the Will James Award goes to that artist who renders the most high-spirited drawing.
In addition, gold, silver and bronze awards will be offered in nine categories as well as other awards for Indian, Pioneer and Southwest ranch heritage art.
The evening will include poetry readings and storytelling; friends and guests are welcome to attend.
At 8 a.m. Saturday, the Western Art Roundup officially opens. A fantastic array of paintings and other artwork depicting the buckaroos, pioneers and Native Americans who settled the West will be on display. Plus, artist demonstrations and cowboy poetry will be staged throughout the day.
At noon, inductees into the Buckaroo Hall of Fame will be honored. The now-annual ceremony will commemorate the lives of those local cowboys who worked this land from the late 1800s into the 1900s. Hammond, along with other Western Art Roundup organizers, decided to add the permanent museum-type display in 1988. Since 1990, well over 50 legends have been honored.
After the induction, a wine reception will begin at 3 p.m. followed by a “Quick Draw” contest at 4:30 p.m. The contest gives participating artists a time limit to “quick draw” complete works of art and gear, which are then offered at auction. All proceeds help support the Buckaroo Hall of Fame.
Sunday, the show will continue from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Western Art Roundup show is free to the public; donations are gladly accepted at the door. Friday evening's annual banquet also is open to the public. Please RSVP by contacting Carl Hammond at (541) 573-2921 or via email at buckaroohalloffame@yahoo.com.
Western craftsmen and artists interested in participating at the event may also contact Hammond.
