ALL THINGS WESTERN REVIVED?

TOP WESTERN ART MUSEUMS

- JOHNNY D. BOGGS

Many filmmakers and studio executives are realizing that there's a revived interest in all things Western. But don't be surprised if your local art museum directors and patrons shrug off such a comment. They've known that for years.

Here are this year’s favorites:

1 Museum of Western Art

(Kerrville, TX): The former Cowboy Artists of America Museum, which opened in 1983, has expanded since separating, by mutual consent with the CAA, in 2003. Roughly 30,000 visitors come each year, and while artwork by “cowboy” artists is always displayed, the museum showcases a wide range of art. Wildlife photographer Rachel Spencer's Wildlife Icons of the American West ends August 30; Walt Gonske's The Church Series runs September 6-November 8; and The New American West by Brush and by Bronze, featuring Kathleen Frank's landscapes and Mark Lynn Harris's sculptures (which includes alabaster, marble and limestone as well as bronze), should dazzle art lovers during its November 15-January 10 showing.

MuseumOfWesternArt.com

Desert Caballeros Western Museum

2. Desert Caballeros Western Museum

(Wickenburg, AZ): Sadly, The Horse in Art closed in June after a roughly 11-month run, but we look forward to Why We Serve: Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces (September 19-November 29), which honors all Native Americans (including those from Alaska and Hawaii) who have served our country. Even if you've visited the National Native American Veterans Memorial at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., this is must-see.

WesternMuseum.org

The Brinton Museum