The 13th Annual SLOPOKE Art of the West Show — celebrating the American West, its scenery, wildlife, ranch life, and history — will be held Sept. 22-24 at Flag Is Up Farms, 901 E. Highway 246, Solvang.
The fine art exhibit also offers visitors a chance to meet the artists. Tickets are on sale now, click here to purchase.
“We’re thrilled to welcome 27 tremendously talented artists at this year’s SLOPOKE,” said Tom and Sherie Burgher, founders of the SLOPOKE.
“At the SLOPOKE we present art of the west, not necessarily ‘western art’ and look for emerging artists who paint the 21st century west as well as those recreating the 18th or 19th century West,” they said. “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.
“We’re excited to showcase so many fine artists, and look forward to welcoming the public to enjoy another fantastic event this year.”
The event begins Friday, Sept. 22 with an Opening Night Artist Reception featuring the awards ceremony, and live entertainment by the Silver Mountain String Band performing folk and bluegrass tunes, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The event continues 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 23, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 24.
SLOPOKE, a leading Central Coast fine art exhibition and sale, draws artists from across the country presenting paintings, sculptures and photography.
Six awards are given each year; the silver SLOPOKE Belt Buckle is awarded for Best Painting, Best Sculpture, and Best of Show. Three sponsored awards are given for Best Animal Art, Best Figurative Art, and Artists Choice awards, each receiving a full-page ad in nationally-recognized art magazines.
California artist Peter Adams will serve as the guest artist and jurist for the SLOPOKE 2023. Adams received his training at Art Center College of Design, Otis Art Institute, Instituto de Bellas Artes, San Miguel de Allende, and at the Lukits Academy of Fine Arts in Los Angeles.
Adams’ career in art led him around the world. In 1981, he became the first American artist to travel and paint unescorted through the People’s Republic of China; and in 1987 he was the only American artist to travel and paint with the Mujahideen rebels in Soviet-occupied Afghanistan.
Today, Adams combines Eastern design concepts with the Western sense of depth through atmosphere.
From 1993-21, he served as president of the historic California Art Club, which was established in 1909 and is now one of the largest and most active professional arts organizations in the country. Under his leadership, the club grew from 80 members to nearly 3,000 today. The California Art Club is now recognized as a leading proponent of the current national realist art movement.
Artists at this year’s show include: Ariel Anton, Rebecca Arguello, Susan Eyer-Anderson, Rosemary Bauer, Tom Burgher, Taylor Crisp, Ken Christensen, Natalie Groves, Jan Handtmann, Rick Hill, Kelly Hine, Kasia Kaznocha, Sheryl Knight, Jean Myers, Vicki Pedersen, Amy Rattner, Raven Skye, Pat Roberts, Lee Rue, Suzanne London, Chris Slatoff, Julia Seelos, Glenda Stevens, John Sumner, Tara Rose Toner, Tom Wright, and Dong Yang.
This year’s SLOPOKE show is set in a renovated 6,000-square-foot horse barn with white-washed walls in a museum-like setting. Visitors will receive a complimentary keepsake art book that features this year’s art showcase.
For more, visit www.the-slopoke.com. For information on how to participate in next year’s show, inquiries can be sent to Tom Burgher, tburgher2@gmail.com or call 805-570-8088.