The premier annual Western art exhibition & sale, presented by Eskridge Lexus, brings the best artists and finest representations of the American West to The Cowboy each year

 

OKLAHOMA CITY, March 9, 2026 – Since 1973, the world’s finest Western artists and avid art collectors have gathered at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum for Prix de West, the nation’s premier Western art exhibition and sale.

The 54th annual Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition & Sale will be on exhibit and open to the public from June 6 through July 12, 2026, with the Art Sale Weekend held June 12-13, 2026.

For the 54th Prix de West, 92 artists are expected to exhibit, including new artists Kevin Red Star, Jessica L. Bryant and Dustin Payne.

They join 89 returning artists, among them some of the most enduring names in Prix de West history, led by Walt Gonske, celebrating his remarkable 50th year of participation.

Eight additional artists have reached 40 years or more with the exhibition, including Kent Ullberg (48 years), William Acheff (44), Gerald Balciar (44), Jim Wilcox (43), Tony Angell (42), George Carlson (42), John Encinias (42) and Joseph Bohler (40).

“Prix de West brings together the finest Western artists working today,” said Susan Patterson, curator of special exhibits at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. “With artists whose careers have helped define the exhibition and new voices joining us for the first time, the 2026 show will capture the depth, innovation and narrative power that makes Western art so compelling. Nearly 300 works will be featured.”

The Art Sale Weekend will feature a fixed-price art sale, art seminars, demonstrations, cocktail receptions and an awards dinner on Saturday, June 13.

This year’s programming includes artist demonstrations by Thomas Blackshear II and Sean Michael Chavez, as well as the following artist-led presentations:

  • “The Iconic West” — Kim Wiggins
  • “Resilience: The Life and Grand Canyon Art of Curt Walters” — Curt Walters
  • “Why Do I Like This?” — David A. Leffel and Sherrie McGraw
  • “The Spark to the Flame” — James Morgan, Prix de West 2025 Purchase Award winner

Returning once again this year are virtual-viewing and absentee proxy-bidding options for those who are unable to attend Prix de West in person. To learn more about proxy-bidding, visit https://pdw.nationalcowboymuseum.org/proxy-service/.

Tony Angell was selected to design this year’s collectors’ bolo, a common loon titled The Loon’s Necklace. The bolo will be available for purchase at Persimmon Hill, the store located in the Museum.

Also available for purchase each year is the Prix de West catalog which includes art featured in the exhibition and artist biographies.

Prix de West is the Museum’s largest annual fundraiser that supports the Museum’s exhibitions and programming. In 2025, the Museum sold $3.5 million during the 53rd Prix de West.

For more information and to make reservations, see a full schedule of events, or arrange to bid by proxy, visit nationalcowboymuseum.org/prixdewest.