The 48th Annual Phippen Museum Western Art Show & Sale Promises a Variety of Entertaining and Enlightening Events Memorial Day Weekend
By Edd Kellerman, Executive Director, Phippen Museum
Every Memorial Day weekend, the Phippen Museum offers a variety of entertaining events at its Annual Western Art Show & Sale on the beautiful Courthouse Plaza in downtown Prescott. This year on May 28–30, this much-anticipated tradition is expected to return with an even larger gathering of fine art collectors, museum enthusiasts, and western aficionados (see a full schedule below). Many of today’s most well-known western artists got their start as juried participants at this event. Artists from across America will return in 2022, offering visitors the perfect opportunity to see some of the best examples of contemporary western art in America and possibly meet and purchase pieces directly from the masters. In addition, this outdoor show also features two extremely popular quick-draw challenges, where more than twenty artists are challenged to create a finished piece of artwork in just one hour; finished pieces are then immediately auctioned off to onlookers while they’re still wet! Get there early to grab a good from which to watch these popular events.
Sunday morning, the artist award ceremony takes place. It’s offered to recognize and celebrate the tremendous skill and effort of the show’s outstanding participating artists with awards in seven different mediums and special honors, including the George Phippen Memorial Foundation Award, Phippen Family Award, People’s Choice Award, and Best in Show.
Throughout the long weekend, the Phippen Museum also offers special events, including an Artist Meet ‘n’ Greet Dinner, Miniature Masterpiece Show and Sale/Sale by Draw, and the Phippen Award Winners Show & Sale. General admission is free all weekend.
Courthouse Plaza Events
- Western Art Show & Sale: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 28–30 (admission is free).
- Quick-draw challenge and live art auction: 2 p.m. Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29 on the Courthouse Plaza north steps.
- Artist award ceremony: 11 a.m. Sunday, May 29 at the Courthouse Plaza north steps.
Phippen Museum Events
- Artist Meet ‘n’ Greet Dinner: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 28. This entertaining evening of western food, fun, and friendship allows guests to mingle with the art show’s participating artists while exploring the current exhibitions. Attendees will enjoy refreshments, a delicious ranch-style dinner by Big Daddy E’s, and live western entertainment. The cost is $35 per person. Call 928.778.1385 to make reservations.
- 19th Annual Miniature Masterpiece Show & Sale: May 1–June 5. This unique and successful sale-by-draw event features more than 60 of the biggest names in the world of American western art today. The outstanding fine art on display will be offered at fixed prices and is available to view on the Museum’s website: phippenartmuseum.org.
- Miniature Masterpiece Preview Reception: 7 p.m. Friday, May 28. Established buyers at this catered, invitational event have a unique opportunity to mingle with some of the participating artists while exploring the artwork and placing their intents to purchase.
- Miniature Masterpiece Sale by Draw: 11 a.m. Monday, May 30. The luck of the draw will determine the winning buyers at this exciting sale-by-draw.
- Fifth Annual PAWs/ Phippen Award Winners Show & Sale: May 7–June 5.
- PAWs Opening Reception: 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 6. This exhibit comprises artwork created by award-winning artists from the past three outdoor art shows and pieces on display can be purchased at any time and immediately taken home to enjoy. Museum members are admitted free and guests are admitted for $12 per person.
Make your plans now to enjoy the full roster of entertaining and enlightening events the Phippen Museum has planned for Memorial Day weekend.
Opening its doors in 1984, the Phippen Museum was named after co-founder and first president of the Cowboy Artists of America, George Phippen. After his untimely passing at the age of 50, a group of his friends and family established an institution in his name that was devoted to Art of the American West. More than thirty-five years later, the Phippen Museum continues to present museum-quality western art for the enjoyment of visitors from across the nation and abroad.
For additional information on these events, or to make reservations for the Artist Meet ‘n’ Greet Dinner, please contact the Phippen Museum at 928.778.1385. Learn more at http://phippenartmuseum.org.