SLOPOKE Art of the West Exhibition Gets Back in the Saddle with 10th Annual Show

During the unprecedented times of COVID-19, when many events are being canceled or rescheduled, the SLOPOKE Art of the West Exhibition & Sale is getting back in the saddle to present its 10th annual show in a safe and socially distanced way on September 25 – 27 at Flag Is Up Farms, an open-air ranch in Solvang, CA. This unique live art show celebrates the American West – its scenery, wildlife, ranch life and history, and offers guests the opportunity to meet the artists.

Three prominent artists will unveil their most recent sculptures to the public at SLOPOKE. It is extraordinary to have a simultaneous unveiling of new work take place at the same time and same place. The three sculptors are: Errol Gordon, Dino Mehaffie, and Pat Roberts. Each piece will be a new limited-edition bronze fresh from the foundries. Shown in the photographs are the “maquettes” or original clay sculptures from which the bronzes will be cast. SLOPOKE showcases excellence in painting and sculpture with the flavor of the American West. Additional featured artists include 2020 Jurist and featured artist Jim Wodark, Janet Allinger, Liz Alvarez, Naomi Brown, Tom Burgher, Gloria Chadwick, Gail Faulkner, Alexi Fine, Melinda Gandy, Carolynne Hawley, Teresa Johnson, Diane Keltner, Simon Lok, Lisa McLoughlin, Tracy Miller, Melody Owes, Denise Rich, Janice Scultz, Phyllis Waltman, and Jody Wiggins.

Errol Gordon, a well-known Los Angeles family lawyer and skilled sculptor, will present the latest in his historical series of unique people. His bronze is titled “Conchita” and presents a sculpture of Conceptión Cintrón Verrill, who was a famous Chilean-born Peruvian Torea, or female bullfighter, of the 20th century. Conchita defied, in dramatic fashion, the Spanish law restricting matadoras to horse-mount only.

Dino Mehaffie is an exceptional California Art Club sculptor whose work was last seen “live” at the 108th Gold Medal Exhibition at the Pasadena Museum of Art. Mehaffie’s art was also exhibited the year before at the Autry Museum’s Masters of the American West. Dino will unveil the sculpture “Spur Check,” a depiction of a contemporary rancher checking his spurs while checking for the mail. Dino puts exceptional effort into capturing the body language and facial expressions of his subjects to convey the emotions of the moment.

Pat Roberts remains an active equestrian as well as a talented sculptor. Her first-hand knowledge of the musculature and movements of the animals she depicts gives them life and spirit. Pat will be unveiling the first bronze edition of “Martha” a beloved donkey owned by friends and known in life throughout the Santa Ynez Valley for her gentle and loving personality.

SLOPOKE is held at Flag Is Up Farms, the 100-acre thoroughbred horse ranch of Monty and Pat Roberts in Solvang, California, and is open to the public. This is a safe open air event, with social distancing, hand sanitizer, and complimentary SLOPOKE cowboy bandanas that can be used as face masks. Attendees will also receive a free high-quality art book.

The event takes place September 25-27, 2020, with an artist reception and awards ceremony from 5:30-7:00pm on Friday; 10-5, Saturday; and 10-4, Sunday. The ranch is located at 901 East Highway 246 in Solvang. Information and tickets are available at: www.the-slopoke.com.