Some of us have had the pleasure of sitting on grandpa's knee and hearing stories of how the old ranches were run and how the first cowboys lived. Others have listened as cowboy poets have turned back time with tales and lore. A few of us may even have some treasured heirlooms that illustrate the Old West or the first rodeos. However, many visitors to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo lack such a close connection to our cowboy heritage. What better way could there be to help them share that heritage than through illustrations and depictions of our extraordinary Western history? At the Show, this is accomplished through an exceptional collection of art and memorabilia maintained under the watchful eye of the Western Art Committee. The Show's Western Art Committee, created in 1989, was given responsibility for providing general oversight for all fine art, memorabilia, artifacts and other items of historical importance to the Show. The Show had been receiving donations of Western art and memorabilia for years, and there was virtually a treasure trove scattered throughout the Show's offices. It was decided that the collection was too valuable to ignore and needed the care and protection of a special, dedicated group — the group we now know as the Western Art Committee. With its 58 members, the committee collects, catalogues, conserves and interprets the remarkable art that we see around the Show. In some cases, the committee also raises funds on behalf of the Show to acquire and properly display gifts of art. This committee makes decisions about where and how to present this collection and keeps detailed records on the artists and pieces in the collection. Brady Carruth, officer in charge of the Western Art Committee, believes the preservation of our heritage through art is a vital part of the richness of the Show. "The pieces of art that the Western Art Committee has been able to assemble, including sculpture and paintings, certainly enhance our visitors' rodeo experiences. They help transform a rather generic facility into more authentic surroundings of our Western heritage."
Western Art Committee Chairman Rick Wilson noted that the Show's collection holds an important place in the world of Western art and memorabilia, and he considers himself fortunate to lead the committee. "Through the art and exhibits inside the Rodeo headquarters and the bronzes within the Astrodome complex, we are able to continue the excitement of the Rodeo year-round. The committee consists of people that truly love cowboy art, and their efforts have greatly added to the collection over the past few years. We see it expanding even further with continued awareness of our role within the Show." At the 2000 Show, some of the rotating collections featured a display entitled "Ladies of the Rodeo." This exhibit focused on the unique and significant contributions that women have made to rodeo and featured memorabilia including historical photos and colorful rodeo clothing worn over the past 30-plus years. So look around closely the next time you are on Show grounds, take in the wonderful stories and moments depicted in the Show's amazing collection and then thank the Western Art Committee for making it possible for all visitors to the Show to share in our rich cowboy heritage.
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