March 31 & April 1, 2023
JS Bridwell Ag Center @ MPEC
Drawing • Jewelry • Painting • Photography • Sculpture • Silversmithing• Trappings • Woodworking
Cowboy True is a celebration honoring working cowboys and the art, gear, and trappings that come from their daily lives.
Cowboy True features artists and craftsmen from across the United States. Artists are juried into the event based on their artistic skill and strong representation of the Cowboy way of life.
Click open an event map and complete list of activities: Event MapEvent Schedule
GET ALL THE TICKETS!
Click the image or this link: Cowboy True Event and Raffle Tickets
Schedule of Events
We'll have timelines on Friday and Saturday activities soon! Events will include a chuck wagon round up, kids' arts activities, living history re-enactors, music, and more.
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daytime
Friday School Arts Day
Activities for Region 9 schoolsContact Nancy Scott at [email protected] or 940-767-2787 ex114 for information about your school participating in these activities next year.
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5:30pm-8:30pm
Friday Night Preview Party
An early look at the exhibitors plus entertainment
(17 and under FREE with an adult ticket purchase)Artist Exhibits
Live Music
Line Dancing Lessons
Artist Awards
HX Chuckwagon appetizers
Cash Bar -
Artist Exhibits10:00am-5:00pm
Saturday Daytime Exhibit
Art exhibit featuring over 40 cowboy artists
(17 and under FREE with an adult ticket purchase)
Chuckwagon Round Up
Little Eden Petting Zoo
Live Music
Painting Classes with How Great Thou Art
Cowboy Poetry
Trail Rides with Whispers of Hope
...and much more! -
5:30pm-6:30pm
Saturday Evening VIP Dinner
Entertainment, refreshments, artwork, auction items and more!Chuckwagon dinner, entertainment, and exclusive door prize opportunities
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6:30pm-9:30pm
Saturday Evening Party
Entertainment, refreshments, artwork, auction items and more!
Complimentary Beer at check in
Full Cash Bar
Heavy Cowboy Hors d ’Oeuvres by Chef LaBoy
Jalapeno Bites, BBQ Brisket Sliders, Western Burgers, Huevos Rancheros
Live music by Hot Club of Cowtown!
Door Prizes + Grand Prize Drawing - GRAND PRIZE: $25/ticket for Gravely ZTX 52" LE Kawasaki ZT Mower
2023 Exhibitors
We're proud to include these artists in this year's exhibit selected by the Jury Committee.
2023 Featured Artists
Each year the committee selects a Featured Artist who represents a long history with the Cowboy True event. Past featured and guest artists include: Bobby Dove, David Godfrey, Polly Kennedy, Laine Smith, John David Rule, Mike Vaughn, Kathryn Leitner, Stephen Jones, Jeremy Enlow, and Donna Howell-Sickles.
This year's Featured Artists are Jerry Smyers (Sculpture) and Kathy Smyers (Trappings)!
Public Contests
Our contests are now all closed. Each year we offer hundreds of dollars in prizes, opprtunities for public display and performance, and more for the kids and adults who enter our contests.
- 2023 Junior Photography Contest
- 2023 Junior Art Contest
- 2023 Junior Poetry Contest
- 2023 Adult Poetry Contest
Purse Party Auction
Get ready to place your bids in our online silent auction... coming February 19th through March 5th. Shop the collection of new and gently used purses, handbags, totes, clutches, wallets and more. Proceeds benefit Cowboy True, the Arts Council WF and Whispers of Hope Horse Farm.
All items are graciously donated by the Cowboy True committee, along with their families and friends. If you're interested in donating your purses or bags, please email [email protected] or call us at (940) 767-2787 ext. 113.
Artist Application
CLOSED JANUARY 31, 2023!
2023 Artist Applications are now closed.
This year's judges!
- Mike Vaughn – Mike Vaughn Handmade Boots
- Suzette Chang – National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Chief Education Officer
For questions, please contact Kristine Thueson at [email protected] or 940-767-2787 ext 202.
