Thirty-seven artists will be featured in this year’s SLOPOKE Art of the West Show, which will be held at Flag is Up Farms in Solvang Friday, Sept. 23, through Sunday, Sept. 25. This year marks the group exhibition’s 12th year. The show highlights artworks of various media—including painting, photography, sculpture, and more—that center on Western themes.
“We are deliberately broad in our definition of Art of the West to include ranch life, historical and contemporary Native American life, landscapes, seascapes, urbanscapes, and wildlife in all media and styles from realism to abstract work,” Tom Burgher, founder of SLOPOKE, said in press materials. “We’re excited to showcase so many fine artists and look forward to welcoming the public to enjoy another fantastic event this year.”
Southern California-based artist Michael Obermeyer will serve as the guest artist and jurist for this year’s exhibition. Obermeyer is the president of the California Art Club, and a signature member of the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association.
As a professional illustrator, Obermeyer has worked for Disney Studios, the Anaheim Angels, the U.S. Air Force, and several other notable clients over his 20-year career. Some of Obermeyer’s paintings can be found on display in the U.S. Air Force Historical Art Collection at the Smithsonian Institute and the Pentagon. A curated selection of Obermeyer’s artworks (including Trail Dust, pictured) will also be on display at the Art of the West Show.
Obermeyer will be jurying the exhibition’s artist awards, which will be presented during the SLOPOKE opening reception on Friday, Sept. 23, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. LA-based ensemble Silver Mountain String Band will be performing live music during the reception. The exhibit will be open on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visit the-slopoke.com for more info on the three-day exhibition. Flag Is Up Farms is located at 901 E. Highway 246, Solvang.
This article appears in Sep 15-22, 2022.