LOS ANGELES, CA.- The country’s most important Western art show, the Masters of the American West Fine Art Exhibition and Sale, opens at the Autry National Center on Saturday, February 5, 2011. This prestigious exhibition challenges nationally recognized artists to exhibit their very best work. The juried exhibition and sale features 75 artists whose work is stylistically and thematically diverse.

Masters artists participate in opening-weekend activities such as a special artists’ dinner and gallery tours. Most are on hand for the Saturday chuck wagon luncheon, where the awards are presented, followed by the evening cocktail reception featuring the official sale of the new works and a silent-bid process for the most sought-after works. Patrons attending the Saturday events are able to view the works and meet the artists.

Entering its 14th year, the Masters show has featured the best artists from across the country, with the top five artworks—by Z. S. Liang, Mian Situ, Tucker Smith, Howard Terpning, and Morgan Weistling—entered into a sealed silent bid . Awards include the Masters of the American West Purchase Award, the Thomas Moran Memorial Award for Painting, the David P. Usher Patrons’ Choice Award, the Bob Kuhn Wildlife Award, and the Gene Autry Memorial Award. They have been bestowed upon such distinguished artists as Robert Griffing, George Carlson, Kenneth Bunn, John Coleman, and John Fawcett.

“It is a great honor to have the best contemporary Western artists work exclusively year-round on one or more pieces for the Masters show, and to also have them attend the Masters opening weekend to meet patrons and discuss their work in person,” said John Geraghty, Autry National Center Trustee and Special Advisor to Masters. “This type of dedication ensures that Western art will have a lasting place in modern art.”

Five new artists joining Masters this year include wildlife painter Greg Beecham, wildlife sculptor T. D. Kelsey, landscape painter T. Allen Lawson, portrait and cowboy artist Xiang Zhang, and wildlife sculptor Margery Torrey.