Briscoe Western Art Museum Raises Record Amount At Opening Weekend Of Night Of Artists Art Show & Sale

The Briscoe Western Art Museum raised a record-breaking $2.4 million during the first weekend of the 2018 Night of Artists Art Sale & Exhibition, including nearly $1.9 million in total art sales. This year's show is the biggest to date with over 280 works of painting, sculpture, and mixed media art on display by 74 of the country's top contemporary Western artists. Proceeds from the sale benefit the programs, exhibits, and collections of the Briscoe Museum.

The public exhibition and sale continues through May 6 at the Briscoe Museum's Jack Guenther Pavilion, located at 210 W. Market Street on the San Antonio River Walk, with all unsold artwork available for purchase. The exhibition is free with Museum admission. Now in its 17th year, the Briscoe's annual fundraising event was revamped for 2018 with the addition of several new artists and the Bison Society Collectors Summit, a live art auction hosted by legendary auctioneer Troy Black.

Top sellers at the live auction included Warriors on the Greasy Grass by Martin Grelle which sold for $150,000 and Grizzly Bear Man by Z.S. Liang which commanded a price of $70,000.

"This year's show was great - beyond expectations," exclaimed Jack Guenther, Briscoe Board Member and avid art collector. "[It] Will definitely put San Antonio on the map of the Western art world."

The 2018 Night of the Artists opening weekend was attended by more than 800 artists, sponsors, and guests. Internationally recognized artists participating in the show include Billy Schenck, Mark Maggiori, Logan Maxwell Hagege, Tim Cherry, Sandy Scott, John Coleman, Jan Mapes, George Hallmark, Kent Ullberg, and Kim Wiggins. The range of subjects reflects the vastness of the great American West from dreamy landscape vistas, to rugged frontier cowboys, historic missions, and detailed Native American themes.

"We wanted the opening weekend to be a special and memorable experience for the guests and patrons of the Briscoe Museum and the artists hailing from all over the country to share with us the beauty and history of the American West," stated Marianne Malek, 2018 Night of Artists Committee Chair. "We have received an overwhelmingly positive response to this year's works available, with art sales already exceeding our goal."

Preview the extensive collection of art on the Briscoe Museum's website gallery (BriscoeMuseum.org/gallery). For more information on art available for sale and museum hours, please call 210.299.4499.

2018 Night of Artists Award Winners

Briscoe Museum Purchase Award: Jan Mapes, Tools of the Trade, Bronze

David Crockett Award for Artists' Choice: Greg Beecham, Lord of the Dust Bowl, Oil on linen

Sam Houston Award for Painting: Z.S. Liang, Grizzly Bear Man, Oil on linen canvas

James Bowie Award for Sculpture: John Coleman, The Healer, Bronze

William B. Travis Award for Patrons' Choice: Kim Wiggins, The Texians, Oil

About The Briscoe Western Art Museum:
The Briscoe Western Art Museum, named in honor of the late Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr. and his wife, Janey Slaughter Briscoe, preserves and presents the art, history, and culture of the American West through engaging exhibitions, educational programs, and public events reflective of the region's rich traditions and shared heritage. Located at 210 W. Market Street along the San Antonio River Walk, the Museum's campus includes the restored 1930s former San Antonio Public Library building, which now serves as the Museum space with nine galleries on three levels; the three-story Jack Guenther Pavilion, used for event rentals and programs; and the outdoor McNutt Sculpture Garden. For more information about the Briscoe Western Art Museum, visit BriscoeMuseum.org, or follow us on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram @BriscoeMuseum.