Celebrating the Art of the Horse

The celebration of the 20^th Anniversary of the Western States Horse Expo held at Cal Expo in Sacramento, California on June 8-10, 2018 was, simply stated, an amazing event. One of the highlights each year, is the Art of the Horse Exhibition and Sale. This exhibition focuses on the Horse, the Horseman and the equestrian lifestyle. Artists work in their favorite medium and bring to life their vision. It is truly a celebration of creativity and masterful use of the chosen art form. With well over 100 entrants in this year’s exhibition, attendees were gifted with many amazing works that touched each of them in a deeply personal and unique manner.

Categories included Acrylic, Colored Pencil, Oil, Pastel, Pencil/ Charcoal, Pen and Ink, Mixed Media, Sculpture, Pottery, Other and Photography. The judges awarded ribbons and prizes to first, second and third in each category. They also awarded a “Best In Show.” Attendees got to share their thoughts in the form of the People’s Choice Award, where they got to cast their votes for their favorite piece.  The work in all of the mediums was exceptional! The judges had to look closely at the technical aspects of each piece and then the emotional, almost visceral reaction each piece created in themselves. The truly masterful works combined the technical astuteness and the emotional response, forming a story in the minds (and hearts) of the judges that spoke to them. The task was not an easy one.

• 

  Beach Bums

  In the Acrylic category, Doreen Irwin took home top honors with “Beach Bums.” Second Place went to Iwona Janowski with “Sunset Breeze – Mottled Horses” and Third Place went to Albert Joransen with “Stagecoach – Making Up Time.”

• In the Colored Pencil category, Megan E. Luis took home top honors with “Silver Bullet.” Robin Kaminski took home Second Place with “What’s The Plan, Stan?” Vikki Tuma took home Third Place with “The Gaze.”
• 

  Silver Bullet

  In the Oil category, Yvonne Bonacci took home top honors with “I Wear Big Shoes.”  Elizabeth Hendrix took home Second Place with “Finally.” Pat S. Aragon to Third Place with “Cowboy on the Grey.”

• In the Mixed Media category, Jill Wagner took home top honors with “Evening Water Run.” Tracey Sirbello took home Second Place with “Windows to the Soul.” Melani Grube took home Third Place with “Wild Horses.”
• In the Pastel category, Wikki Tuma took home top honors with “Shaman.” Marianne Harris took home Second Place with “Wanna Snuggle.” Sandy Lindblad took home Third Place “Enrounte, Crossing the Divide.”
• In the Pen & Ink category, Emily Connor took home top honors with “In My Eyes” and her piece “Pony” took home a Second Place.
• In the Pencil/Charcoal category, Monica Burtley took home top honors with “Chase.” Doreen Irwin took home a Second Place with “Keldon & Friends.” Sharlene Rayl took home a Third Place with “Grey Otta Petrolia.”
• In the Photography category, Steve Green took home top honors with “Showdown.” Marybeth Brown took home Second Place with “Peeking Tom.” Claire Porter took home Third Place with “Cowgirl Poncho.”
• In the Sculpture category, Lisa Bone took home top honors with “Stopping to Smell the Roses.” Victoria Vaz took home Second Place with “Black Boots.” Maryann Steinert-Foley took home Third Place with “Pumpkin.”
• 

  Showdown

  In the Pottery category, Lisa Bone took home top honors with “Seahorse Vessel.” Dita Lewis-Panter took home Second Place with “In the Pink.” Aby Henry took home Third Place with “Horse Hair Raku.”

• In the Water Color category, Jessica Kong took home top honors with “The Pickup Men” and a Second Place with “California Cowpony.” Pat Kangas took home Third Place with “Horse Play.”
• In the Other category, Bob Brooks took home top honors with “Santa Barbara Spade Bit.” Tracy Sirbello took home Second Place with “Paco Napping.”
• Best in Show was awarded to Yvonne Bonacci with “I Wear Big Shoes.”
• People’s Choice Award, given by popular vote, went to Jessica Kong with “The Pick Up Men.”

It was a great exhibition that helped to enrich the experience of all the Attendees at the Western States Horse Expo. Equestrian and Rural Lifestyle art, in its many forms, has always been a part of the Western States Horse Expo culture and will continue to be so in the years to come. Thank you to all the incredible artists who shared their work for the enjoyment and enrichment of others.

About Western States Horse Expo
Presenting two of the best Horse Expositions in the United States, California’s Western States Horse Expo in Pomona and Sacramento are a must-attend events for any “equine and rural lifestyle enthusiast’ no matter what their level! In three short days Attendees can catch up on the latest training and education, shop the nation’s premier equine vendors and connect with your horse friends. Attending the Western States Horse Expo is a low-cost, high quality way to stay engaged in the horse industry, making sure you have the tools, knowledge and products to help make the most of your investment (and enhancing your experience) in the equine and rural lifestyle year round!