More than 20 artists are participating in the 13th annual Art of the West Show, scheduled to open on Friday, Sept. 22, and run through Sunday, Sept. 24, at Flag Is Up Farms in Solvang.
The three-day exhibition of landscapes, seascapes, wildlife portraits, sculptures, and other works of art that celebrate the American West will kick off with its Opening Night Artist Reception on Friday, Sept. 22, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The reception will include live music from the Silver Mountain String Band, a folk and bluegrass group.
The showcase will remain open to the public on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
California-based artist Peter Adams (whose painting, Monument in Evening Shadows, is pictured) is the special guest artist and jurist of this year’s group exhibit. In 1981, Adams became the first American artist to travel and paint unescorted in the People’s Republic of China, according to press materials. Between 1993 and 2021, the prolific painter served as president of the historic California Art Club, which grew from about 80 members to nearly 3,000 members during his tenure.
Featured artists in the Art of the West Show will compete for recognition in six award categories: Best Animal Art; Best Figurative Art; the Artists’ Choice Award; and the SLOPOKE Belt Buckle awards for Best Painting, Best Sculpture, and Best of Show.
To find out more about SLOPOKE, visit the-slopoke.com. Flag Is Up Farms is a 100-acre horse ranch located at 901 E. Highway 246, Solvang. The Art in the West Show will be displayed in the ranch’s large horse barn.
