SLOPOKE Art of the West Exhibition and Sale

Taking place from September 27-29th, 2024, at the newly remodeled, enclosed barn at Flag Is Up Farms in Solvang, California, this year’s SLOPOKE event promises to be a game-changer.

The 14th Annual SLOPOKE juried art show depicting Contemporary Art of the American West. This fine art show is held at the fabulous Flag Is Up Farms horse ranch of Monty and Pat Roberts in the California Horse Center operated by Tom & Debbie Loucks

Featured Artist and Jurist:

Ezra Tucker,

Renowned Western Wildlife Artist

Ezra Tucker started his career and family here in the Santa Ynez Valley. He participated in SLOPOKE 2018 and 2019. Awards Jurist Gayle Garner Roski presented him the Artists Choice Award for his painting “Scarlet” depicting a beautiful vixen. He returns this year as our Featured Artist and Awards Jurist. Painting wildlife in a realistic, stylized manner, Ezra preserves the dignity of and our respect for all creatures inhabiting our planet. He received a BFA degree from the Memphis Academy of Arts but learned by studying the works of Carl Rungius, W.R. Leigh, N.C. Wyeth, Antoine Barye and Arthur Wardle, among others.

The SLOPOKE event kicks off with an Opening Reception and Awards Presentation on Friday evening, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Attendees can enjoy the delightful music of the Silver Mountain String Band from Los Angeles. The event continues to be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am.

Six prestigious awards are presented annually, including the coveted silver SLOPOKE Belt Buckle for Best Painting, Best Sculpture, and Best of Show. Sponsored awards for Best Animal Art, Best Figurative Art, and Artists Choice add further prestige to the event, including a full-page ad for selected artists in nationally recognized art magazines. NEW 2024, SLOPOKE has a new ” Best Art of Today’s West ” Award sponsored by SW Art Magazine. Thus there are now 4 sponsored awards offering full page ads in national magazines in addition to the coveted SLOPOKE Silver Belt Buckles.

ABOUT SLOPOKE

Founded in 2011 as a juried show by Tom and Sherie Burgher, the SLOPOKE has come a long way. In 2016, Pat and Monty Roberts generously offered their thoroughbred horse ranch as the event’s venue, ensuring its continued success in Santa Ynez, Santa Barbara County. Monty Roberts, an internationally renowned horse trainer, and Pat Roberts, a consummate equestrienne and equine sculptor, have been instrumental in shaping the SLOPOKE’s legacy.

Over the years, the SLOPOKE has attracted renowned artists and art enthusiasts, with each year featuring a top-tier artist as the Awards Jurist. This year, the SLOPOKE is honored to have Peter Adams, President Emeritus of the California Art Club, in this role.