History - Western Art Associates of Phoenix Art Museum

On February 28, 1968, the Board of Trustees of the Museum, then called the Phoenix fine Arts Association, created a "Committee" to be known as "Western Arts Associates". "The purpose of this organization shall be the preservation and promotion of Western Art and of the Roy Wayland Gallery of Western Art" at the Museum."

As stated, "Western Art" is defined as "The realistic, documentary, or contemporary art of the Western Continental United States, consisting for the most part of cowboys, Indians, the military, landscapes, or subjects of western locale." The intent of this is a broad definition of the art we appreciate, and is not simply inclusive of cowboys and Indians.

1968 The Bylaws and Statement of purpose are approved by the Committee on June 18, and on October 10 the Board ot Trustees of the Museum gave their final approval to the formation of Western Art Associates.

1969 By January 8 there were 109 members of WAA, and in February the first show sponsored by WAA was the Maximillan-Bodmer Collection of the 1830's.

1972 On September 20 it was voted to allow WAA to purchase works of art from living artists as well as deceased. To that date, only works of deceased artists had been acquired.

1973 In September, the Cowboy Artists of America (CAA) held their first annual art show at the Museum. Scott Libby, president of WAA, and Mrs. John Kieckhefer, member, were instrumental in bringing the show to Phoenix.

Donald Teague, Night Passage, 1977, watercolor on paper. Museum purchase with funds provided by Western Art Associates

1986 The first annual Field Trip was planned by the Board of the WAA. The trip was to provide an opportunity for members of WAA to see good western art in museums and private collections, and visit artists in their homes and studios. The first trip was to Cody, Wyoming in July and was a great success. By October, membership had grown to 294 members.

1988 WAA celebrated their 20th Anniversary and also had their first major fundraising event. By working together as a group, they were able to fund the acquisition of their first major piece of art, "Taos Indian Chanters with Drum" by E. Martin Hennings. The painting was unveiled at a gala cocktail party at the Museum, followed by elegant dinners in several member's homes.

Ernest Martin Hennings, "Taos Indian Chanters with Drum", c. 1935. Museum purchase with funds provided by Western Art Associates in honor of its 20th Anniversary.

1991 The Annual Field Trip had become so successful that in November the first Annual Mini Trip was taken to Sedona, AZ to visit museums, homes, and artist's studios. This was also the year that WAA established an endowment fund for the Museum in the amount of $50,000, to be known as the Western American Endowment Fund.

1993 Many members of WAA had remarked that while they appreciated western art, they did not know a great deal about it. Thus was born the first "Saloon" which provided an educational as well as social activity to the members. It was called a Saloon" in contrast to the "Salon" used by other art organizations.

2008 WAA celebrated their 40th Anniversary and held it's first Bi-annual Collector's Choice fundraising event. Five works of art were selected for possible inclusion in the Museum's western art collection, and each attendee had a vote for the one to be purchased by WAA. The event was a huge success and in addition to the piece purchased by WAA, several others were purchased by WAA members and donated to the Museum.