Media Contact: Kelly Whitton
(602) 307-2007
Kelly.Whitton@phxart.org

Phoenix Art Museum Announces a Distinctly New Western Art Sale and Exhibition
The West Select, a New Western Classic to debut in Fall 2011

Phoenix, (June 13, 2011) –The newest and most distinctive Western art exhibition in the country makes its debut Friday, October 21, 2011, at Phoenix Art Museum.  Presented by the Museum’s Men’s Arts Council, The West Select unites more than 30 of today’s leading artists to present an expansive look at the American West.  Featuring nearly 100 paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs the selected works will reveal iconic landscapes, still-lifes and wildlife; historical genre scenes of cowboys, settlers and American Indians; and depictions of the modern, or "New West." 

“Phoenix Art Museum has been at the forefront of Western American art for more than three decades,” commented James Ballinger, The Sybil Harrington Director, Phoenix Art Museum.  “In that time, Phoenix has become a vibrant metropolis, maintaining a sense of tradition while embracing a contemporary approach to life in the American West. The Museum’s primary Western art exhibition should represent the breadth of this new environment.”

The West Select will feature the best Western artists from across the country, including: William Acheff, Bill Anton, Scott Baxter, Arturo Chavez, Jay Dusard, Josh Elliott, Tony Foster, Luke Frazier, George Hallmark, Ann Hanson, Steve Kestrel, Merrill Mahaffey, Walter Matia, William Matthews, Louisa McElwain, Ed Mell, Dean Mitchell, John Moyers, Terri Moyers, Dan Ostermiller, Howard Post, Bill Schenck, William Shepherd, Bob "Shoofly" Shufelt, Gary Ernest Smith, Don Stinson, Curt Walters, and others to be named later.  Offering a rich survey of works that exemplify the “American West”, this select group of highly regarded artists will bring their talents together to create a new Western classic sale and exhibition.

On Friday, October 21 from 10am to 3pm, The West Selectopens with a special viewing for ticketed Sale patrons only prior to the sale that evening.  The sale will be held at 5:30pm.  The Exhibition opens to Museum Members on Saturday, October 22 and the general public may view the exhibition on Sunday, October 23.  The artwork will remain on exhibit through Sunday, November 20, 2011. 

The West Select ticket holders are invited to attend the host of activities at the Museum on Friday including artist presentations, a trunk show of Western wearables at the Museum Store and the Awards Luncheon.  Between the Museum's events and additional collecting opportunities to be found in nearby Western art galleries, it will be a weekend of activities to excite first-time buyers and keep even the most active collectors busy. This is the "Don't Miss" Western art event of the season!

Chris Gooch, President of the Men’s Arts Council, concludes that “As an organization, the Men’s Arts Council is thrilled with the opportunity to assist in the creation of what will be, from its first year, the major event on the national Western art calendar.  This Sale Weekend has the potential to revitalize Arizona’s commitment to Western American art.”

The Men’s Arts Council
The Men’s Arts Council of Phoenix Art Museum is a nonprofit organization that was founded in January 1967 to support the programs and activities of the Museum.  With the talents and efforts of its over 175 members, MAC organizes two distinctively different annual events: an annual Western Art Sale and Exhibition and the Bell Lexus Copperstate 1000 Vintage Car Rally.

The success of these fundraising events enables MAC to make annual contributions to the Museum's operating budget, to financially sponsor exhibitions, and to fund three separate endowments for art acquisition and education: Western American Art Endowment Fund, Men's Arts Council Sculpture Endowment, and the James K. Ballinger Director's Scholarship Endowment.  As of August 2010, MAC's cumulative financial contribution to Phoenix Art Museum over the last 44 years is over $9 million.

Phoenix Art Museum
Phoenix Art Museum is the Southwest’s premier destination for world-class visual arts.  Popular international exhibitions are shown alongside the Museum’s outstanding collection of more than 18,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, Western American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design.  A community epicenter for fifty years, Phoenix Art Museum presents festivals, live performances, independent art films and educational programs that enlighten, entertain and stimulate. Visitors also enjoy PhxArtKids an interactive space for children, vibrant photography exhibitions through the Museum’s landmark partnership with the Center for Creative Photography, the lushly landscaped Sculpture Garden, dining at Arcadia Farms at Phoenix Art Museum, and shopping at The Museum Store.

Admission: $10 adults; $8 senior citizens (65+) and full-time students with ID; $4 children ages 6 to 17; Children under 6 and Phoenix Art Museum members receive free admission.  The Museum offers free general admission for everyone on Wednesday evenings, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and for First Fridays, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.  Some exhibitions have special admission fees.

Hours:  Wednesday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday Noon to 5 p.m.; First Fridays, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.  Some exhibitions have special hours.  The Museum is closed Mondays, Tuesdays and major holidays.  The Museum Store and Arcadia Farms at Phoenix Art Museum are open during Museum hours. 

To learn more about Phoenix Art Museum, visit PhxArt.org, or call the 24-hour recorded information line at (602) 257-1222.