News Release: Western art in high demand at Eiteljorg’s Quest for the West® Art Show and Sale
More than $1 million in art sold; awards presented to artists; painter remembered
Terri Kelly Moyers
Zuni Patterns, 2019
Oil on gesso board
20 x 16 inches
INDIANAPOLIS – More than $1 million of top quality Western art was sold Sept. 6-7 during the Quest for the West® Art Show and Sale, held at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis.
The 14th annual Quest for the West® brought together nearly 50 of the nation’s leading Western artists and nearly 300 art collectors for a luck-of-the-draw sale and awards dinner. All the Quest art works, including more than 160 new paintings and sculptures, will remain on exhibit at the Eiteljorg for the general public to experience until Oct.6. Buyers can continue to purchase any unsold art until then.
Also returning for a third year at Quest for the West® was a popular miniature art sale where the same Western artists offered smaller paintings and sculptures in addition to the works they entered into the main sale the following evening.
“The interest level in Quest for the West® by top art collectors is an indication of how prestigious this show and sale has become,” Eiteljorg President and CEO John Vanausdall said. “Now we are pleased to welcome the general public to see the Quest for the West® exhibition and enjoy these stunning landscapes, portraits and sculptures for the next month and appreciate the creativity and variety within the Western art genre.”
David Wright
Colonel Crockett’s Last Serenade – The Alamo, March 1, 1836, 2019
Oil on panel
48 x 60 inches
This year’s Quest for the West® included the opening of a new related exhibition about the work of artist H. David Wright of Gallatin, Tenn., who was last year’s Quest Artist of Distinction. The exhibit H. David Wright: Marching to a Different Drum features the painter’s historical scenes and will be on view at the museum’s Gerald and Dorit Paul Gallery through Nov. 17.
During Quest weekend, the Eiteljorg acknowledged Western artist Terry Isaac of Penticton, British Columbia, Canada. A veteran artist at Quest for the West®, Isaac was scheduled to participate again this year; but he passed away unexpectedly in July. One of his final paintings, Mystic Encounters, was purchased during the sale and will remain on view for the remainder of the exhibit, through Oct. 6.
During Quest weekend, visitors admired the painting Mystic Encounters by the late artist Terry Isaac. Photo courtesy of the Eiteljorg Museum.
The museum and Quest participants also paid tribute to Dr. Edward M. Cockerill, M.D., former Eiteljorg board member and longtime member of The Western Art Society who was an enthusiastic supporter and organizer of Quest for the West®. He died in April.
In addition to collectors and guests attending the event and purchasing art, Quest for the West® drew absentee buyers who registered to automatically purchase specific works if their names were drawn from the boxes of bids.
Sales of Quest for the West® artworks currently total $1,138,124 and counting. Proceeds go toward Eiteljorg operations and to the museum’s acquisition of the Harrison Eiteljorg Purchase Award painting. More information is at this link: https://eiteljorg.org/exhibitions/quest-for-the-west/
George Hallmark
Sagrado (Sacred), 2019
Oil on linen
36 x 40 inches
At the Sept. 7 Quest celebration, 35 participants who entered a drawing received the 2019 Eiteljorg Keepsake: castings of a small bronze by sculptor Sandy Scott titled Cardinal. The Eiteljorg Museum thanked the presenting sponsors of the 14th annual Quest for the West®, Avis Industrial and The Western Art Society, as well as other corporate sponsors, including Ice Miller LLP, Faegre Baker Daniels and many individual donors.
2019 Quest award recipients
During a celebration Sept. 7, several artists were honored with awards for excellence:
2019 Harrison Eiteljorg Purchase Award
George Hallmark of Meridian, Texas, Sagrado (Sacred)
Presented by the Western Art Society
The Cyrus Dallin Award for Best Sculpture
Sandy Scott of Lander, Wyo., Untamed
Presented by Mike and Carla Leppert
The Henry Farny Award for Best Painting
H. David Wright of Gallatin, Tenn., Colonel Crockett’s Last Serenade – The Alamo, March 1, 1836
Presented by Stephen and Jane Marmon
The Victor Higgins Award of Distinction
Brent Cotton of Stevensville, Mont., for works including Valley Summer
Presented by Catherine and Robert Turner
The Artists’ Choice Award (three-way tie)
Robert Griffing of Gibsonia, Penn., Respect for the Ancients
Terri Kelly Moyers of Monrovia, Calif., Zuni Patterns
H. David Wright, Colonel Crockett’s Last Serenade – The Alamo, March 1, 1836
Presented by Phyllis Cockerill
The Patrons’ Choice Award
H. David Wright, Colonel Crockett’s Last Serenade – The Alamo, March 1, 1836
Presented by the Booth Western Art Museum
About the Eiteljorg:
The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in downtown Indianapolis seeks to inspire an appreciation and understanding of the art, history and cultures of the American West and the indigenous peoples of North America. Located on the Central Canal in White River State Park at 500 West Washington St., the Eiteljorg Museum recently was named one of the USA Today Readers’ Choice 10 Best Indiana Attractions.
Media Contacts:
Bryan Corbin
Public Relations Manager
317.275.1315
bcorbin@eiteljorg.com
Bert Beiswanger
Director of Marketing and Communications
317.275.1317
bbeiswanger@eiteljorg.com
Hyacinth Rucker
Digital Communications Manager
317.275.1388
hrucker@eiteljorg.com