Western American Art

With more than 900 paintings, sculptures and works on paper, one of the highlights of the Museum is the art of our region, the American West. The collection features paintings by local artists of the 19th century whose work was influenced by exploration and adventure. Included are some of the earliest paintings of the Arizona Territory.

Artists include:
Albert Bierstadt, Frederic Remington, Ernest Blumenschein, Walter Ufer, Ernest Martin Hennings, Maynard Dixon, Georgia O'Keeffe, Bill Owen and Chuck Forsman.

Recent Exhibition History

44th Annual Cowboy Artists of America
Steele Gallery
October 18, 2009 – November 15, 2009

In Contemporary Rhythm: The Art of Ernest L. Blumenschein
Steele Gallery
March 15, 2009 - June 14, 2009

A Century of Retablos:
The Janis and Dennis Lyon Collection of New Mexican Santos, 1780-1890

Orme Lewis Gallery
October 6, 2007 - February 3, 2008

Classic New Mexico, 1898-1950: Paintings from Valley Collections

Orme Lewis Gallery
June 1, 2007 - September 23, 2007

41st Annual Cowboy Artists of America Exhibition and Sale

Steele Gallery
October 21, 2006 - November 19, 2006

Left: Sweeping Clouds, Ed Mell, 1989. Oil on canvas. Collection of Phoenix Art Museum, Museum purchase with funds from anonymous donors. Center: Chain of Spires along the Gila River, John Mix Stanley, 1855. Oil on canvas. Collection of Phoenix Art Museum, Museum purchase. Right: The Sun Vow, Hermon Atkins MacNeil, 1899. Bronze. Collection of Phoenix Art Museum, Gift of Western Art Associate in honor of its 25th Anniversary.