Throughout the evening, attendees look at the art, ranging from watercolor paintings to bronze pieces, chosen by a juried panel each
year from artists around the world. Attendees then bid on the pieces so
they could take them home when the exhibition ends in October, raising
money for the foundation.
Craig Huffhines, the chief executive officer for the American Quarter Horse Association, said this is a great event for the community
to come together and celebrate the foundation as well as the art.
“This is one time a year where the community gathers, the who’s who of Amarillo comes in to celebrate America’s Horse in Art, which is a
celebration of our great horse and our heritage,” he said.Museum curator
Crystal Phares said 43 artists were chosen to participate in this
year’s show. Artists, year after year, are inspired by the horse as an
animal.
“The horse itself is a living work of art,” Phares said. “It’s hard to not be inspired by a horse. I think it really translates because
people are passionate about the horse. They are a companion. They are
our friends.”Jack Sorenson, an artist who has participated in each of
the 12 shows, said it is a big deal for Amarillo to host an art show
like this. As the event each year progresses, Sorenson thinks the art
gets better and better.
Being a full-time artist for 45 years, Sorenson said he sees a huge difference from how he approaches his art now than he did in the past.
But his work has one consistent theme.“Most of my paintings have
storylines,” Sorenson said. “I don’t know where the ideas come from. I
grew up in this lifestyle, so I paint a lot of paintings of what
happened to me when I was a kid growing up. God will give me an idea
right when I’m about to fall asleep.”
Sorenson said he hopes this show becomes more nationally renowned in the future, but it touches him that people come out to the annual show
and purchase art.“It means a lot to me when someone goes out of their
way to come to something like this and then they leave with one your
paintings,” he said.
Phares said this event gives people the unique opportunity to appreciate horses without having to purchase one.“The American Quarter
Horse is a beautiful animal,” Phares said. “What better way to share
that with people who maybe don’t want to have a horse, but they are in
love with the horse?”
