Phoenix Art Museum is proud of its long association with the Cowboy Artists of America and to host what has become the most prestigious Western American art exhibition and sale in the world. The largest art museum in the Southwest, Phoenix Art Museum has a special feeling for the life, spirit, and history captured in the art of the West, which is evident as one strolls through its Western American Art galleries.

On view in those galleries are many select works by members of Cowboy Artists of America which have been made part of the Museum's Western American Art collection throughout the years. The CAA Exhibition and Sale, made possible by the Museum's Men's Arts Council and Western Art Associates, has contributed greatly to what Phoenix Art Museum is today, as the beneficiary of a portion of sale proceeds.

Over the past three decades, Phoenix Art Museum and the CAA Exhibition and Sale have both grown. In 1973, the Museum had half it's current exhibition space and CAA had half it's current number of members. An extensive expansion and renovation of Phoenix Art Museum was unveiled in 1996, and the Cowboy Artists Exhibition was the first in the new Steele Gallery for featured exhibitions.

Phoenix Art Museum emerged as the premier museum in the Southwest, able to present very large major exhibitions such as Splendors of Ancient Egypt (October 1998 - March 1999), Monet at Giverny (September 1999 - January 2000), Norman Rockwell: Pictures for the American People (January - May 2001), Secret World of the Forbidden City: Splendors from China's Imperial Palace (Novemeber 2001 - April 2002), Masterworks from El Greco to Picasso in the Phillips Collection (January - May 2003), and American Beauty: Painting and Sculpture from the Detroit Institute of Art, (December 2003 - March 2004). The passing of the Bond Election in March 2001 by the citizens of Phoenix will now allow the Museum to complete the plans of a decade ago and continue to expand to meet the demands of a growing collection and increases in visitorship.

Phoenix Art Museum integrates not only great art and design, but includes the flexibility and scale needed to provide excellent Museum programs for the entire community. The building is designed in a classically progressive style and has the timeless quality of the great museums of the world. A variety of unique architectural details and spaces give the Museum a magical quality and liveliness, including the use of natural light, sculptural and painting niches, and openings in walls and windows in unusual places. In addition to its extensive Western American Art collection, it houses collections of European, Asian, American, Latin American and Contemporary Art, and Fashion Design. Not to be missed are the new Ullman Center for the Art of Philip C. Curtis, the Thorne Miniature Rooms of historic interiors, the interactive ArtWorks Gallery for children and families, shopping in The Museum Store, and relaxing in the Art Museum Cafe.

The 39th Annual Cowboy Artists of America Exhibition and Sale will again find its home in the 9,100-square-foot Steele Gallery, which at its highest point features a 33-foot ceiling. This makes it enticing for the artists to create large sculptures, like Fred Fellows' 11-foot bronze, An Honest Day's Work, featured in the 30th Anniversary Exhibition. The Gallery's solid maple floor and movable grid lighting system make it one of the most impressive and unique exhibition spaces in the country.

The Annual Cowboy Artists of America Exhibition and Sale, Men's Arts Council and Phoenix Art Museum have come a long way together. Phoenix Art Museum appreciates the tireless efforts of its Men's Arts Council and Western Art Associates, and the continued support of the Cowboy Artists of America.

The Museum looks forward to bringing the best in Western American art to museum visitors and collectors from around the world for many years to come.

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