10 Sep Publisher’s Note: Focusing on the Positive

Despite the difficult realities for many out there, there’s also a lot of good news happening if you take the time to look for it. And you know from my past commentaries how important I feel it is to focus on the positive. So I’d like to call your attention to some recent art events that celebrated successes and the many others that are listed inside that would love your support in the coming months.

The cancellation of Santa Fe’s Indian Market in August sent shockwaves through the art community. But just when things seemed discouraging, two significant things occurred: First, the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) hired Kimberly Peone to be their executive director; and second, Elizabeth Hulings, director of The Clark Hulings Fund, a non-profit that provides visual artists with marketing and financial tools, reached out to SWAIA and offered to create a virtual platform for Indian Market artists, resulting in a digital marketplace that will exist from now on. This addition breathed new life into the event and made a lasting impact on the artists’ livelihoods. Congratulations to Kimberly and Elizabeth for making such a difference for so many!

In a significant art exhibition this summer at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Tucker Smith, at 80 years old, gathered 90 of his spectacular landscape and wildlife paintings. I was fortunate to attend a small but significant gathering of Tucker’s peers and close friends to pay tribute to this legendary artist. The celebration honored his major retrospective, which will continue at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, the National Sporting Library & Museum in Middleburg, Virginia, and the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Georgia. Congratulations, Tucker, on this monumental milestone!

And just as this issue is landing on your doorstep, the red carpet will be rolled out in Cody, Wyoming, according to Kathy Thompson, director of the 39th annual Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale. The event and sale taking place in mid-September will benefit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. This year’s auction includes a virtual option for those who cannot attend in person. And many of the artists will be present and plan to participate in the annual quick draw downtown. The live auction with auctioneer Troy Black will be available for viewing and bidding in person, both at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and at the big tent set up in front of By Western Hands.

Across America, there are similar upcoming events that honor the creative traditions of our region. At Western Art & Architecture, we celebrate each of these successes and are looking forward to all of the upcoming opportunities.

Stay tuned, there’s more good news ahead!

Tim Newton, Publisher
tim@westernartandarchitecture.com