Museum of Western Art in Kerrville, Texas.
NOVEMBER 6, 2014. Today was the day for our visit to the Museum of Western Art in Kerrville, “our hometown for the Winter.” (Typically, RV’ers who spend the winter in a warm climate state are called “Snowbirds.” In Texas, however, we’re called “Winter Texans.” Why? Don’t know. Doesn’t matter. Just interesting. Even though I’ve got a pretty good list of “RV Lingo” on one of my side widgets here, I’m learning that it will take years to complete the list and learn all the words and phrases necessary to really communicate with the “old-timer full-timer RV’ers.”
THE MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART.
The adventures of cowboys, Native Americans, settlers, mountain men and others who tamed the West come alive through the exhibits on display at the Museum of Western Art in Kerrville. Here, the legend of the American West lives. The Museum is dedicated to the appreciation, presentation and promotion of Westrn American heritage as expressed through art and artifacts. It is a showcase for Western art and artists, past and present. The museum is an architectural work of art in its own right. Its unique design was initiated by distinguished Texas architect O’Neil Ford, renowned for establishing the guiding principles of Southwestern style architecture.
Old West Banker’s Desk
ARCHITECTURE. Featuring heavy timbers and rugged retaining walls of stacked limestone, the building’s exterior resembles a fortressed hacienda. Heroic and life-size bronzes dot the landscape of the outer grounds. Inside the 14,000 square foot facility, 23 bovedas in the ceiling give visitors a glimpse of artisan work rarely seen today. Floors of end-cut mesquite wood and Saltillo tile are polished to a warm glow, complementing the Western artwork displayed in the galleries.
WESTERN HERITAGE. In preserving and promoting the heritage of the American West, the Museum is committed to exhibiting the very finest artwork including art created by today’s best known Western artists. Periodic exhibits feature famous masters of the past. The Museum’s goal is to represent authentically the life of the West in both its historic and contemporary context. This rich cultural heritage is also shared through the display of artifacts from the era, and ongoing Western art and history education programs.
An authentic old Western Chuck Wagon.
THE PERMANENT COLLECTION. The permanent collection includes approximately 150 sculptures, 250 paintings and many artifacts. The Museum has many works by both deceased and living western artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Another part of the collection is an extensive research library which includes over 3,000 volumes and an equal number of periodicals. These cover everything to do with the West…history, art, railroads and cattle drives.
Texas Longhorns with elite genetics can often fetch $40,000 or more at auction with the record of $170,000 in recent history for a cow. This has nothing to do with the museum piece, but it’s a fascinating fact, huh?
Bronze. “An Honest Day’s Work” by Fred Fellows.
Main Gallery, Museum of Western Art. Kerrville, Texas.
