A Passion for the West

Women Artists of the West (WAOW) is thirty-two years old and was initially formed by a small group of women who wanted to network together as friends to compete in the world of art. WAOW began in 1971 in Norco, CA, where this group of friends discussed the challenges they faced as women artists. They decided to pool their efforts and became a group that called themselves Women Artists of the American West, and began promoting their careers by having shows, splitting the costs of advertising cooperatively and networking with each other. WAOW soon became known for its high caliber of artists and their distinctive western style.

Palm Springs was the site of their debut exhibit and as the years passed they have sponsored shows in Texas at the Cowgirl Hall of Fame, in Las Vegas, Colorado, Wyoming, California, Mississippi, Arizona and New Mexico. In the beginning years the membership was limited to 35 members in all. Each artist put her time and money into helping WAOW become the fine group that it is today. Eventually WAOW grew in membership as they had to finance their own projects because they were unable to obtain a sponsor for their art exhibits.

In the beginning WAOW artists were known for their western pieces in various media. However, many other artists and sculptors who specialized in non-western genre who wanted to become a part of the WAOW legacy. In 1988, the bylaws of WAOW were changed to embrace different genre and subject matter and style and the membership chose to drop “American” from their name. At this time the membership is quite varied but overall there is a definite Western theme in the works exhibited at WAOW exhibits.

WAOW now has more than 125 carefully juried members. Within the ranks of the membership some have worked as career artists in advertising, illustration, education, while others are involved in the medical field. Within the membership are women who did not pursue or begin their careers in earnest until they had retired or raised their children. While others are successfully juggling, full-time jobs with careers as fine artists while raising their families.

Some of our membership run ranches and paint in between tending the ranch and training horses. These women paint their everyday lives, they paint horses, chickens, landscapes and whatever else strikes their fancy. One can find a bond amongst the membership as was expressed by Sherryl Evans a member for 30 years. “I joined what was then Women Artists of the American West in February of 1973. This led to many years of great friendships and the possibility of getting my work into shows and galleries in areas that I would never have been able to reach on my own.”

The membership of WAOW is scattered throughout the country and now the world. Some live in remote areas of the country, while others live in suburbia or the fast paced life of the city. Some are involved in causes involving the environment, endangered species, the plight of Native Americans, fighting breast cancer and the education of children with disabilities.

A common thread that is seen throughout the work of WAOW artists is their love of life and their desire to express the joy and beauty of the world around them. Most of the membership of WAOW holds impressive credentials represented by dedication, perseverance as professional working women artists. They have collectively made their mark on the world of art and have done it as a team of professionals, whose theme could be the same as the “Three Musketeers” penned by Alexander Dumas, “All for one and one for all” The unity and dedication of WAOW artists have survived the test of time, last I counted 32 years and they are still going strong into their 4th decade.

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