SAVE the DATE: “Art of the West” Sat. July 8, 2023
Join us for this gala reception and barbecue celebrating the opening of “Art of the West” featuring collections curated by Mehl Lawson and Mark Fehlman.
PREVIEW Live & Silent Auctions
Lovers Point by Tom Browning, from the Lawson collection
Art of the West exhibitions and auction opens Sat. July 8th with a gala reception from 5pm to 9pm with a Western style barbeque and auction at the Bonita Museum & Cultural Center located in San Diego, California. The exhibition, which runs from July 8 through August 2023, is curated by local Western art collectors Mehl Lawson and Mark Fehlman and features artworks from San Diego County collectors.
Artists in the exhibition include Roy Anderson, John Asaro, Joe Bohler, Tom Browning, Jill Carver, Russell Case, Bruce Green, Ralph Love, Harry Jackson, Jerry Jordan, Calvin Liang, Michael Malm, Charles Movalli, John Moyers, Terry Moyers, Bill Owen, Bob Pummill, Jim Reynolds, Jason Rich, Ray Roberts, Mark Shasha, Bob “Shoofly” Shufelt, Eric Sloane and Olaf Weighorst.
Live and silent auctions will feature art works by local artists and sculpture by Mehl Lawson. Bonita is home to Cowboy Artist of America and Traditional Cowboy Arts Association member Mehl Lawson who leads a paint-out in the Sweetwater Valley every May as well as passing on sculpture traditions to the next generation of artists.
The rural area of Bonita in San Diego County is home to many stables, horse trainers and trails. The museum has documented the life of local animal lover and TV celebrity Joan Embery recreating her tack rooms as well as chronicling her life. The Bonita Museum & Cultural Center has hosted several western art exhibitions and is excited to host Art of the West. During the past two years the museum raised funds to create a life size artist bronze of Mehl Lawson’s WR This Cats Smart which was installed outside of the museum. WR’ was sculpted in the museum allowing the public to watch the process. Since the installation in 2022, it has become a landmark in South San Diego County celebrating horse culture of the Sweetwater Valley.
The Art of the West exhibition dates from July 8 – August 19 will feature paint demonstrations as well walk throughs with local collectors.
More about the sculpture WR This Cats Smart:
Watch a video about Mehl Lawson by Donald Freeman
San Diego Union Tribune article: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/communities/south-county/story/2021-04-17/bonita-museum-welcomes-first-public-sculpture
you can donate financially
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“The Gather” by Jason Rich, oil
Watch a video about Mehl Lawson by Donald Freeman
