Women Artists of the West Exhibition at MOWA

The Museum of Western Art, in Kerrville, TX, is pleased to announce the exhibition and opening of 131 works of art created by the national organization, Women Artists of the West (WAOW). The Exhibition, entitled “America the Beautiful,” is the organization’s 51st Annual Juried Exhibition and will be held at the Museum February 6 - March 19, 2021. Due to COVID restrictions, the opening reception will be held one month into the exhibition, March 6 at 5:30 p.m.
 
Women Artists of the West (WAOW) is a non-profit organization of over 300 juried members across the United States and Canada with the objectives of uniting women artists, elevating awareness of art created by women and encouraging technical excellence. WAOW supports members through education, workshops, and mentoring with a focus on encouraging both emerging and established artists in business and professional practices. WAOW members are publicly promoted through national advertising, exhibitions, web and social media. It is the oldest established organization dedicated to women artists in the nation.
 
Mary Ann Cherry, an artist from Idaho and the organization’s president, said “we are honored to be celebrating 51 years of exhibitions with this year’s national exhibit at The Museum of Western Art in Kerrville, Texas. During our organization’s existence, WAOW members have collectively made their mark on the art world. They have done this as a team of professionals, with plans to continue the journey together. The fine artwork of various genres and mediums in this exhibition has been through a stringent selection process, and we know the Museum’s patrons will love the exhibition.”
 
Museum of Western Art Executive Director, Dr. Darrell Beauchamp, noted that the exhibition is unique for not only the quality of the works to be presented but also for the fact that they are all executed by women artists. “We are thrilled to be able to present so many great works of art all created by women. We’ve had many requests for such an exhibit and are honored to host one of the most respected groups of women artists in the country.”
 
Numerous awards will be given to the exhibition’s participants. This exhibition’s Award Juror was artist June Dudley. Dudley, a part of a Texas ranching family, is inspired by the rugged landscape of Central Texas, as well as the ranching workers, the cattle, and the horses on the ranch. “I am a country girl whose life revolves around art. Painting is all I have ever wanted to do for as long as I can remember even though life’s roads sometimes led me to other places.” She paints in acrylic, and her paintings exhibit color, realism, and a love of her subject matter. More of her work can be found on her website at www.junedudley.com.
 
“The common thread of WAOW artists is the passion for their work and the desire to express the joy and beauty of the world around them,” said Cherry. “We are excited and proud to be able to exhibit at a museum of such stature.”
About the Museum of Western Art
The Museum is dedicated to excellence in the collection, preservation, and promotion of Western Heritage and the education and cultural enrichment of its diverse audiences. The Museum is located in Kerrville, Texas, only a short drive from San Antonio. It sits on prime real estate in the heart of the famed Texas Hill Country. Featuring heavy timbers and rugged retaining walls of stacked limestone, the building’s exterior resembles a fortressed hacienda. Heroic and life-size bronzes dot the landscape of the outer grounds. Inside the 14,000 foot facility, visitors can glimpse artisan work rarely seen today. Floors of end-cut mesquite wood and Saltillo tile are polished to a warm glow, complementing the artwork on view in the galleries. It is a beautiful setting in which to appreciate the art created by Women Artists of the West.
 
About the Women Artist of the West
Women Artists of the American West (WAOAW) was founded in 1971 in Norco, California by a small group of women with a desire to network as professionals and compete in the world of art. They pooled their efforts and began promoting their careers with shows and advertising. WAOAW soon became known for its high caliber of artists and distinctive western style. Their debut exhibit was held in Palm Springs, California. They continued to show in locations such as the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and then on to other areas of the country including New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Mississippi, and Arizona. In these early years, the membership was limited to 35, each of whom played an active role, investing time and money in shows and advertisements to promote their professional growth. Eventually the decision was made to increase membership in order to support the increasing demands for financing and coordinating the group’s activities.