Our History

A legacy was born

What began one autumn day with five artists, flourished into an elite organization that has lasted over six decades to become one of the most influential artists’ groups in American history.

The Cowboy Artists of America have influenced the landscape of American art in ways its founders could never have imagined. The art produced by members over the years set the standard for contemporary Western realism and is represented in prestigious public and private collections around the world.

A legacy spanning over sixty years has defined art markets and careers, created masterpieces and legends, enjoyed prosperity and fame, and endured criticism and controversy. As one of the longest surviving organizations of fine art artists, the Cowboy Artists of America has secured a place in American history and look forward to a thriving future.

Joe Beeler, Johnny Hampton, and Bud Helbig celebrate the founding of the CAA. Image courtesy of the Sedona Heritage Museum, Sedona, AZ

November 1964

Joe Beeler, Charlie Dye, and John Hampton attend a roundup together in Magdalena, Mexico and generate the idea to form an artist collective to promote cowboy art.

Joe Beeler, Johnny Hampton, and Bud Helbig celebrate the founding of the CAA. Image courtesy of the Sedona Heritage Museum, Sedona, AZ

Unknown, 1965, silver gelatin print. Institutional Photographs Collection, Dickinson Research Center, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. PH1965.046

June 22, 1965

Just prior to filling pool and opening to public.

Unknown, 1965, silver gelatin print. Institutional Photographs Collection, Dickinson Research Center, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. PH1965.046

Image courtesy of the Sedona Heritage Museum, Sedona, AZ

June 23, 1965

Beeler, Dye, Hampton, and George Phippen (absent Fred Harman) meet at a tavern in Sedona, Arizona to draft the bylaws of their new arts organization dubbed the Cowboy Artists of America.

Image courtesy of the Sedona Heritage Museum, Sedona, AZ

Induction into the CAA in 1965

Joe Beeler, Charlie Dye, and John Hampton attend a roundup together in Magdalena, Mexico and generate the idea to form an artist collective to promote cowboy art.

1966

Gordon Snidow, Darol Dickinson, Wayne Hunt, Harvey Johnson, George Marks, Grant Speed, Byron Wolfe, Irvin “Shorty” Shope, John H. Kittleson

1967

James Boren, Tom Ryan, Nicolas Firfiries, Gerald Delano, Ned Jacob, Harry Jackson, Frank Polk, Bob Scriver, Allen F. Brewer Jr. (died prior to exhibition)

September 9 - October 16, 1966

First Annual Showing of the Cowboy Artists of America is held at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, generating $49,000 in sales.

Induction into the CAA in 1968

Melvin Warren, James Boren, Robert Lougheed, Bill Moyers, James Reynolds, John Clymer

1969

Fred Fellows

1970

Nick Eggenhofer, Robert Meyers (died prior to exhibition)

1970

The CAA trademarks its logo.

March 1972

Arizona Highways magazine runs a story on “The Big Boom in Western Art.”

Induction into the CAA in 1972

Fritz White, John D. Free, Bud Helbig

1973

Bill Owen

CAA 1973 members. Image courtesy of Phoenix Art Museum

1973

CAA members move their annual exhibition to the Phoenix Art Museum with great success.

CAA 1973 members. Image courtesy of Phoenix Art Museum

Induction into the CAA in 1975

Frank McCarthy, Tom Lovell

1976

Gary Niblett

1978

Bill Nebeker

1979

Howard Terpning

1980

CAA celebrates its 15th anniversary. Its annual show surpassed $1 million dollars in sales for the first time.

1981

American Western Art exhibit opens in Peking, China, including works by CAA artists.

Induction into the CAA in 1982

Mehl Lawson, Kenneth Riley, Gary Carter, Robert Duncan, Tom Ryan (second time)

April 24, 1983

Cowboy Artists of America Museum opens in Kerrville, TX and serves as the headquarters of the organization until 2003.

Induction into the CAA in 1984

Herb Mignery, Bob Pummill

1985

David Halbach

1986

Pat Haptonstall, Ray Swanson

1988

Roy Grinnell

1989

Jim Norton, Roy Anderson

1990

CAA celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Induction into the CAA in 1992

Loren Entz

1993

Oreland Joe, Bruce Greene

1994

Don Crowley, John Moyers

1995

Martin Grelle, Wayne Baize

1997

R. S. (Ron) Riddick

2001

John Coleman

2004

T.D. Kelsey, Clark Kelly Price, Dave Powell

2005

Harley Brown

Oak Creek Market 1947. Image courtesy of Sedona Heritage Museum, Sedona, AZ

2005

CAA celebrates its 40th anniversary at the Oak Creek Tavern in Sedona, Arizona where the founders first came together to organize the group.

Oak Creek Market 1947. Image courtesy of Sedona Heritage Museum, Sedona, AZ

Induction into the CAA in 2007

Tim Cox

2009

Tom Browning, Paul Moore

2011

Jason Rich, John Jarvis, Jason Scull

2012

Grant Redden, Harold Holden

2014

Teal Blake

Booth installation 50th CAA. Image courtesy of the Booth Western Art Museum

2015

The organization celebrates its 50th anniversary with a retrospective exhibition at the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Georgia.

Booth installation 50th CAA. Image courtesy of the Booth Western Art Museum

Induction into the CAA in 2016

Tyler Crow, Mikel Donahue, C. Michael Dudash, Phil Epp

2017

Dustin Payne

2018

Chad Poppleton

CAA 2021 members. Photograph by Ben Christensen

2021

Members of the CAA at the 55th Annual Exhibition and Sale in Fort Worth, November 2021.

CAA 2021 members. Photograph by Ben Christensen

Induction into the CAA in 2021

Brandon Bailey, Jack Sorensen

2023

Todd Conner, Alvin Marshall, Dave Santillanes, Albin Veselka

2024

Ron Rencher

2026

The CAA announces its partnership with National Western in Denver, Colorado, to mark the organization's 60th-anniversary Exhibition and Sale.