By Joanne Davidson, Special to The Denver Post
There was so much to see at the Red Carpet Reception that served as the official opening of the 2017 Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale: spectacular landscape and wildlife paintings from artists from as far away as Germany; sculptures by such greats as Kenneth Bunn of Denver, Kent Ullberg of Corpus Christi and Pati Stajcar of Golden; intricate pieces of fabric art by Rob Watt of Denver and Ellie Beth Scott from Lamy, N.M.; and the terrific Western wear sported by many of the 900-plus guests.
Some of the more notable pieces were a 1909 National Western Stock Show medallion that Steve Weil had affixed to his tweed vest. The medallion had originally belonged to his grandfather, Jack A. Weil, the founder of Rockmount Ranchwear, which Steve now heads.
Jeremy Bronson’s Zuni sun god bolo tie was purchased when he and wife Kristin vacationed in Sedona, Ariz. Kristin Bronson is Denver’s city attorney; Jeremy is the owner and president of Occasions Catering.
Sue Clinton, whose husband, Louis, is president of First Western Trust Cherry Creek, accessorized with a bear-shaped pendant with turquoise, jet, mother of pearl and coral inlay.
Kathy and Brad Coors were there to present the Best of Show Award to Teresa Elliott of Alpine, Texas, for her oil on canvas “Brahman Cow.” They were accompanied by Kathy’s mom, Boots Safford, and son William, one-third of the couple’s 15-year-old set of triplets.
Mark Hunter, the new chief executive at MolsonCoors, was there with his wife, Fiona, joining a crowd that also included such community leaders as Arrow Electronics’ chairman, president and CEO Mike Long and his wife, Karen; William and Joanne Sinclaire, recipients of the 2017 Mary Belle Grant Award; Peter Dea, president/CEO of Cirque Resources, and his wife, Cathy Carpenter Dea; Pete and Marilyn Coors; attorney Terrance Carroll, a member of the stock show’s governing board; UMB Bank chairman Mariner Kemper and his wife, Megan; Andrew Romanoff, president of Mental Health America of Colorado; and Sean McNicholas, president/owner of Service Systems Associates, and his wife, Audra, a former Miss Rodeo Colorado.
Pat Grant, who was the National Western Stock Show’s chief executive from 1991-2010, was there with his wife, Carla; he now chairs the NWSS board, succeeding Ron Williams.
Williams, there with wife Cille, is heading the NWSS’s $50 million capital campaign, an effort directed by Angela Lieurance, who also attended the Red Carpet Reception, as did the NWSS’s current president/CEO Paul Andrews.
Curated by Rose Fredrickand coordinated by Krista Hanley, the Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale is a benefit for the National Western Scholarship Trust. It remains open to the public through Jan. 22 on the third floor of the National Western Expo Hall, 4655 Humboldt St. Entry is free to those holding grounds admission tickets.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, partiwriter@hotmail.com and @joannedavidson on Twitter
