The Museum of Western Art in the heart of the Texas Hill Country is “dedicated to excellence in the collection, preservation, and promotion of the Heritage of the American West” as expressed through the paintings and sculpture of well-known artists. The Museum, located in Kerrville, is less than 30 miles west of the Wine Country Cottages in Fredericksburg.
The masterworks in museum’s Permanent Collection highlight the works of cowboy artists from the mid-20th century to the present. The collection includes approximately 150 sculptures, 250 paintings and many artifacts. Many of the artists represented are award-winning members of the Cowboy Artists of America.
They include twentieth century artists George Phippen (Arizona sculptor and painter of western genre figures, horses and cattle), Fred Herman (American cartoonist of the famous Red Ryder comic strip), Joseph Henry Sharp (New Mexico painter known for his Western landscapes and Native Americans portraits), and Oscar Berninghaus (famous painter of Native Americans and the American Southwest).
Contemporary artists represented in the Permanent Collection include internationally-recognized artists such as Navajo sculptor Oreland Joe; western painter and muralist Roy Anderson; Robert Pummill, an impressionist oil painter of historic Western scenes; and sculptor Bill Nebeker, known for his award-winning bronze sculptures of cowboys, Native Americans, and wildlife.
Temporary exhibits at the museum feature “regional artists, artifacts from the era, and historical explorations of the region’s past.” The museum also is home to a 6000 volume Western art and history research library, and a children’s gallery. The museum building itself is architecturally significant. Designed by O’Neil Ford, a leading architect of the American Southwest, it is constructed of native timbers and limestone. The landscaped grounds include a number of bronze sculptures.
Smithsonian Museum Day
Saturday, September 21, 2019, the Museum of Western Art is participating in Smithsonian Museum Day. Once a year, Smithsonian magazine hosts this annual event, when over 1,100 museums and cultural institutions across the U.S. offer free general admission. (Visit the Smithsonian website to see all museums participating and download the Museum Ticket.) The Museum of Western Art is a great Hill Country attraction to visit any time of the year, but why not plan a weekend getaway at the Wine Country Cottages this September to enjoy Smithsonian Museum Day? Don’t forget to download your Museum Day Ticket when you go online to make a reservation for your favorite cottage!
Museum of Western Art
Days and Hours: Tuesday – Saturday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: 1550 Bandera Hwy, Kerrville, TX Phone: 830-896-2553
Photo of cowboy boots by Melanie Mauer on UnSplash