Desert Caballeros Western Museum

Cowgirl Up! Art from the Other Side of the West

Cowgirl Up! Boot

Creating an Uproar for Women of the West!

When we began this Cinderella story called Cowgirl Up!, complete with its own version of the glass slipper, it started with a very simple idea.

We would simply set a date in the spring of the year so that women artists who work to capture the spirit and the lifestyle of the West could be invited to come to the Museum to show off their finery — the finest in western painting, drawing and sculpture. By doing so, we would give all the world a chance to see their work, and even purchase it if they so desired.

Little did we know what an uproar Cowgirl Up! would create. Nor did we realize how this month-long show and sale would turn into such a gratifying year-long tale for the Museum.

For Cowgirl Up!, about to go into its fourth year, there seems to be no coach on the horizon turning itself back into a pumpkin. Or coachmen transforming themselves back to mice.

There is nothing but pure magic. Magic for the 57 extraordinarily talented artists who are invited annually. Magic for our enthusistic and loyal patrons. And magic for this Museum which is privileged to carry the banner for the West’s best women artists.

May our clock never strike 12!

2009 Artists:

Maryann Bodnar Bartman
Jeanne Bonine
Sophy Brown
Shawn Cameron
Kim Casebeer
Nancy Dunlop Cawdrey
Jane Skaar Coleman
Harriet “Rox” Corbett
Sheila Cottrell
Lisa Danielle
Nancy Davidson
Nancy Denzler
Joni Falk
Deborah Copenhaver Fellows
Jenny Forge-Schmalstieg
Linda Glover Gooch
Veryl Goodnight
Lisa Gordon
Sheri Greves-Neilson
Carol Hagan
Ann Hanson
Sherry Harrington
Moni Heil
Linda Carter Holman
Christina Holmes
Donna Howell-Sickles
Marti Miller Hubbell
Susan Kliewer
Sue Krzyston
Joyce Lee
Laurie J. Lee
Linda Loeschen
Denise LaRue Mahlke
Jan Mapes
Krystii Melaine
Mary Michael
Vel Miller
Judith Moore-Knapp
Gayle Nason
Julie Oriet
Jean Perry
Jeri Quinn
Cynthia Rigden
Tamara Rymer
Roseta Santiago
M. Haynes Scott
Sandy Scott
Sharon Standridge
Linda St. Clair
Sherry Blanchard Stuart
Carol Swinney
Tamara Thomas
V…. Vaughan
Sarah Webber
Kathy Wipfler
Liz Wolf
Mary Wood
Brigitte Woosley

2008 Cowgirl Up! Award Winners

Best of Show Award
Sherry Blanchard Stuart – Buffalo Dancers

First Place Award – Two Dimensional
Harriet “Rox” Corbett – Two Dot Branding: Hush

First Place Award – Three Dimensional
Susan Kliewer – Mischievious Ones

Governor’s Choice Award
Sheila Cottrell – Bedding Down

Museum Purchase Award
Joni Falk – Winter Light in Taos

People’s Choice Award
Moni Heil – In Good Hands

Artists’ Choice Award
Teresa Elliott – Paloduro