The West has long symbolized the romance of the American Frontier, embodying the pioneer spirit and trail-blazing ingenuity. This idea drove a small group of women to form an organization to promote art made by women in a traditionally male dominated field. Women Artists of the West was born in California in 1971 and is currently the oldest women’s juried art organization in the country. WAOW roots began firmly entrenched in the western genre but 1988 brought changes in the bylaws to accept all styles and types of artwork and expand geographically.

Today the group has expanded to 329 members spanning 39 states. Don’t expect the WAOW show to just be paintings and sculptures of cowboys and cattle. This year’s show chair, Julie Gowing Hayes, says “the variety of artwork shown will surprise and delight both artists and collectors. This year’s show will present genres encompassing landscapes, figurative and florals as well as western-themed art. We feel we have something to offer everyone.”

Held this year at the beautiful RS Hanna Gallery in Fredericksburg, Texas, the show will offer more than an art exhibition. There will be an awards presentation ceremony and celebration, demonstrations by nationally acclaimed artists, including show judge, Nancy Boren, and a paint out (group of artists painting outdoors) on Friday morning at 9 a.m. at the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm. All are welcome to participate or see art in the making. You’re invited to join us for a fun filled weekend.

For more information, visit www.waow.org or www.rshannagallery.com.