The green jacket is the most famous prize in golf. Since 1949, this custom, lightweight wool jacket is awarded to the Masters Tournament champion at the Augusta National Golf Club. Here on the Central Coast of California, we are fortunate to be within driving distance of the equivalent event in the art world. This is the 20th year of the Masters of the American West Exhibition and Sale at the Autry Museum. This museum, founded by legendary cowboy movie star Gene Autry is located just off the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles, Griffith Park adjacent to the Los Angeles Zoo. This year, the exhibit is open until March 26 and features the paintings and sculpture of 77 of the best contemporary artists in America today.
After acquiring the Seaside Gallery in 2008, our artists told me about this art exhibition and strongly urged me to go see it. Still working my primary career while at a meeting in Los Angeles that ended early, I was driving past the Autry Museum in mid March 2010. On a whim, I decided to visit Masters. The short version of the story is that I visited the show at the last hour on the last day of that year’s exhibition. I was astounded and exhilarated by the quality of the art I witnessed that day. In fact, I stayed a bit beyond museum hours and had to be asked to leave. I sat in my car for a few moments and thought: “Wow! That art belongs in a museum.” Slapping my head, I realized it was in a museum, but I meant that not only was this art for sale to the public but I believed it would soon be in a permanent collection of an historical art museum. A few years later, I learned that my sentiments were correct.
All the artists are diligently juried into the Masters of the American West each year. Most of them exhibit three large and one small work of art. Original art of this quality and caliber can be purchased throughout this exhibition from just under a thousand to over several hundred thousand dollars.
My impromptu visit was a change-agent event that quickly reset standards for the quality of art we carry in Seaside Gallery. My wife and I have returned every year since 2010 to the opening day of the Masters of the American West. We have met many of the artists, some of the collectors, and become friends with quite a few. We often return for a second or third visit before the show closes because we learn so much from a close-up and quiet examination and appreciation of these works of art.
Due to the influence of this art exhibition, we established the SLOPOKE as a 2-day public art event in Pismo Beach with 25 juried artist of this caliber. Last year, the SLOPOKE was successfully staged as a professional exhibition for professional artists in the Pismo Beach Veteran’s Memorial Building. SLOPOKE 2017 is scheduled for September 30 and October 1at the same place.
Having just returned from this years’ Masters of the American West, we can report that the works of these 77 artists are nothing short of amazing. Whether you are an artist, a collector, a student, or just love art, this is indeed the “Green Jacket” event of the art world. We guarantee that you will be impressed and have a very enjoyable experience. Check out www.theautry.org/masters for hours and directions. If you can’t make it to the Autry, be sure to attend the SLOPOKE this autumn.
Tom Burgher is the co-owner and CEO of Seaside Gallery in Pismo Beach. They can be reached at 773-8057.
-By Tom Burgher
