Museum of Western Art (Kerrville, Texas)

The Museum of Western Art in Kerrville, Texas, is an art museum dedicated to the paintings and sculptures of contemporary artists of the American West who follow in the tradition of Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell. In addition to the rotating collection, the museum also has an extensive western research library and Journey West children's gallery.[1] The museum uses the motto "Where the Legend Lives".

Museum of Western Art
Museum of Western Art is located in Texas
Museum of Western Art
Museum of Western Art
Location within Texas
Museum of Western Art is located in the United States
Museum of Western Art
Museum of Western Art
Museum of Western Art (the United States)
Established1983
Location1550 Bandera Highway
Kerrville, Texas
Coordinates30°01′28″N 99°08′14″W / 30.0244°N 99.1371°W / 30.0244; -99.1371
TypeArt museum
Websitemuseumofwesternart.com

History

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The museum opened on April 23, 1983 as the Cowboy Artists of America Museum, intended to serve as the headquarters of the Cowboy Artists of America.[2][3] The building was designed by the late O'Neil Ford, a pioneer in the Southwestern style of architecture. In 2004, the Masel S. Quinn Pavilion of the Western Art Academy was completed for use in ongoing education programs.[3]

A subsequent dispute led to the dissolution of formal ties between the museum and the association, and the museum changed its name to the National Center for American Western Art and then to The Museum of Western Art in 2003.[4]


Features

The museum's exterior features a rugged hacienda-type exterior and manicured grounds graced by larger-than-lifesize western sculptures. The 14,000 square foot of interior space house an impressive permanent collection of paintings and sculptures, all done by past and present renowned western artists. Distinctive handcrafted boveda ceilings, end-cut mesquite and Saltillo tile flooring combine with a multitude of western artifacts and priceless art to leave a lasting impression on all who visit. In addition to three indoor galleries, an extensive western research library, the Journey West Children's gallery and a museum store. An outdoor pavilion is used frequently for special events, wedding receptions, corporate gatherings, reunions and educational classes.


Awards and Recognitions

The museum has received recognition as one of the top western art museums in the U.S. by True West Magazine in 2021, 2022 and 2023. It has also been rated by a reader poll of The Kerrville Daily Times as the Top Attraction in Kerrville for 2021.

Museum of Western Art
Established 1983
Location 1550 Bandera Highway

Kerrville, Texas

Coordinates 30.0244°N 99.1371°WCoordinates: 30.0244°N 99.1371°W
Type Art museum
Website museumofwesternart.com
 
The grounds of The Museum of Western Art in Kerrville Texas.

Location

Located five miles off I-10, exit 508, the museum is an hour's drive northwest of San Antonio. Regular hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission rates listed on website, www.museumofwesternart.com. Current and retired military always complimentary when military i.d. is presented.


See also

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References

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  1. ^ Texas Transportation Commission, 2008 State Travel Guide, p. 92
  2. ^ "Cowboy Artists of America Museum" at Handbook of Texas Online (retrieved July 13, 2009).
  3. ^ a b "Welcome to the Museum of Western Art". museumofwesternart.com. Retrieved July 7, 2009.
  4. ^ "New Kerrville museum changes Western art emphasis", Fort Worth Star-Telegram, August 13, 2003 (pay site).
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