March 31 & April 1, 2023
JS Bridwell Ag Center @ MPEC
Drawing • Jewelry • Painting • Photography • Sculpture • Silversmithing• Trappings • Woodworking
Cowboy True is a celebration honoring working cowboys and the art, gear, and trappings that come from their daily lives.
Cowboy True features artists and craftsmen from across the United States. Artists are juried into the event based on their artistic skill and strong representation of the Cowboy way of life.
We also feature lots of arts activities and entertainment during the two-day festival. Schedule of activities will be updated, so check back!
Artist Application
CLOSING JANUARY 31, 2023!
2023 Artist Applications are now available. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD guidelines and application.
This year's judges!
- Mike Vaughn – Mike Vaughn Handmade Boots
- Suzette Chang – National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Chief Education Officer
For questions, please contact Kristine Thueson at cowboytrue@artscouncilwf.org or 940-767-2787 ext 202.
Schedule of Events
We'll have details on Friday and Saturday activities soon! Events will include a chuck wagon round up, kids' arts activities, living history re-enactors, music, and more.
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daytime
Friday School Arts Day
Activities for Region 9 schoolsdetails coming soon!
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5:30pm-9:00pm
Friday Night Preview Party
An early look at the exhibitors plus entertainment
details coming soon!
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10:00am-5:00pm
Saturday Daytime Exhibit
Art exhibit featuring over 40 cowboy artists.See a wide variety of working artists in all types of cowboy lifestyle arts.
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5:30pm-9:00pm
Saturday Evening VIP Dinner
Entertainment, refreshments, artwork, auction items and more!Chuckwagon dinner, entertainment, and exclusive door prize opportunities
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5:30pm-9:00pm
Saturday Evening Party
Entertainment, refreshments, artwork, auction items and more!
details coming soo
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2023 Exhibitors
We're proud to include these artists in this year's exhibit, selected in the first round of jurying. Round 2 closes January 31.
2023 Featured Artists
Each year the committee selects a Featured Artist who represents a long history with the Cowboy True event. Past featured and guest artists include: Bobby Dove, David Godfrey, Polly Kennedy, Laine Smith, John David Rule, Mike Vaughn, Kathryn Leitner, Stephen Jones, Jeremy Enlow, and Donna Howell-Sickles.
This year's Featured Artists are Jerry Smyers (Sculpture) and Kathy Smyers (Trappings)!
Public Contests
Our contests are now all closed. Each year we offer hundreds of dollars in prizes, opprtunities for public display and performance, and more for the kids and adults who enter our contests.
- 2023 Junior Photography Contest
- 2023 Junior Art Contest
- 2023 Junior Poetry Contest
- 2023 Adult Poetry Contest
Purse Party Auction
Get ready to place your bids in our online silent auction... coming February 19th through March 5th. Shop the collection of new and gently used purses, handbags, totes, clutches, wallets and more. Proceeds benefit Cowboy True, the Arts Council WF and Whispers of Hope Horse Farm.
All items are graciously donated by the Cowboy True committee, along with their families and friends. If you're interested in donating your purses or bags, please email development@artscouncilwf.org or call us at (940) 767-2787 ext. 113.
