The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum has announced their 2020 Purely Proxy Prix de West award winners and virtual tour.
The sale of the 48th Annual Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition & Sale isn’t the only aspect of the nation’s premier Western art exhibition and sale that’s gone virtual: In a format befitting of 2020, the Prix de West committee presented the 2020 awards virtually to the winning artists this afternoon, August 14, via video conference.
“We wanted the thrill and excitement of announcing this year’s winners to come through even if we were hosting the announcement virtually,” said Natalie Shirley, The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum's president. “These winners are truly deserving, and it was wonderful to gather and celebrate them, even if it was from a safe distance this year.”
In addition, The Cowboy is pleased to offer a fully virtual tour of the entire Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition. The virtual tour, produced by 3D Scans Plus, allows Western art enthusiasts from around the world to tour the entire Prix de West exhibition and view each piece of art as if they were standing in the gallery.
Bill Anton received the top-honored Prix de West Purchase Award, which is given to the artist whose work of art is selected by the Prix de West Committee and purchased for the Museum’s permanent collection.
Anton won for his painting titled Makeshift Ambulance. In addition to the purchase price, Anton will receive the Prix de West medallion and an award of $5,000 sponsored by Roberta M. Eldridge Miller.
“I’ve done this show for 23 years and it’s been a joy in my life,” said Anton. “It’s an honor just to be in the same building as the other Prix de West artists.”
In 2009, Anton won both the Prix de West Robert Lougheed Memorial Award and the Express Ranches Great American Cowboy Award. He captured the Express Ranches award again in 2011 and 2018.
“We want to congratulate Bill on his exceptional work and the recognition of the Purchase Award this year,” Shirley said. “He is an exceptional talent in the Western Art world, and we are honored to add this piece to the Museum’s permanent collection.”
