Ritzville showcases western art

The sixth annual Historic Ritzville Days Western Art Show and Cowboy Gathering promises to showcase a wide variety of artists and media, complemented by a lineup of western and bluegrass entertainment in historic downtown Ritzville on May 25-27.

The art show is held in conjunction with the 107th Ritzville High School Alumni Banquet and 10th annual Historic Ritzville Days, intended to complement the banquet while focusing on celebrating the history of the city and its people.

This year’s show will feature the finest western and wildlife artists from throughout the Pacific Northwest. More than 50 are registered for this year’s show, and the impressive roster includes nationally acclaimed artists Robert Walton, Betty Billups, Ron Adamson, Gabe Gabel and Jim Lisk.

A highlight of the weekend is the addition of a Dutch-oven cook-off Saturday, which will will feature a three-pot meal consisting of a bread, main dish and dessert. There will also be Dutch-oven demonstrations Sunday.

The goal of the event is to have fun, demonstrate Dutch-oven cooking skills and introduce the public to the joys of Dutch-oven cooking. The competition is a sanctioned International Dutch Oven Society (IDOS) event, with rules in keeping with IDOS guidelines. The winning team earns the right to compete at the 2013 World Championships, provided they pay the $50 entry fee, are members in good standing of IDOS and cover their own travel expenses. A panel of celebrity judges will use IDOS guidelines to determine the Historic Ritzville Days Dutch Oven Cook-Off winners.

For the youngsters, a Youth Art Experience Center will be open throughout the show, where one and all will enjoy papermaking, marbeling and more. In addition, the Ritzville Rodeo Association is hosting Stick Horse Races during the art show.

The 2012 event continues with an expanded free-entertainment schedule that includes nationally known, top-name western and bluegrass entertainers providing traditional cowboy and western music, humorous renditions, bluegrass music and a touch of the Old West mingled with artists in businesses and on the streets of downtown Ritzville.

Headlining the weekend is Eli Barsi, one of the leading Canadian entertainers and yodelers today, performing on Saturday and Sunday, May 26 and 27.

Returning to the main stage are Nevada Slim and Cimarron Sue, “Minstrels of the Old West,” with songs and stories of the American West. The weekend includes strolling performances of their interpretation of traditional western music and the music of early country legends.

And what western weekend isn’t complete without bluegrass! New to the main stage this year are two bluegrass bands. Coyote Ridge Bluegrass Wranglers hail from Yakima and include a full roster of talented musicians, playing banjo, bass, guitar and dobro.

Rounding out the lineup are the Panhandle Polecats, a band of three sisters and two brothers who have earned a reputation for good music with a high energy, entertaining show.

Don’t miss your chance to chat with Wyatt Earp and “Doc” Holliday while at the show! Members of the Ritzville Community Theatre troupe will serve as ambassadors during the show, portraying a specific character from the “wild west,” including Black Bart, Virgil Earp, Big Nose Kate, Kitty Leroy and Calamity Jane. The event includes numerous vignettes by the renowned characters, including gunfights.

Regional and local artists Robert Walton, Nona Hengen, Debbie Hughbanks and David Holt join art show veterans Jim Bauer, Sheila Bledsoe, Ned Fox, Jerre NightHawk Raven, Marivi Lavides, Pat Cooper and Barbara Conner-Reed for an event sure to please every art aficionado.

A website dedicated to the art show includes extensive biographies of each participating artist, author, artisan and entertainer as well as information about the ongoing Art in Education program sponsored by the Ritzville Downtown Development Association to bring art into the schools.

Find galleries of photos from previous shows, directions, Dutch Oven Cook-Off information and more at the website http://www.ritzvillewesternart.com.

More information is available by contacting the RDDA at info@ritzvilledowntown.com or the art show committee at info@ritzvillewesternart.com.