CALGARY STAMPEDE WESTERN ART AUCTION

ANNOUNCEMENT

OUTSTANDING ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Calgary Stampede Western Art Auction Committee is pleased to announce that Harley Brown is the inaugural recipient of the Outstanding Artistic Achievement Award. This award was created by the Committee to recognize an individual whose exceptional artistic accomplishments and their contributions to western art are highly regarded in the international art community. This award will be presented to Mr. Brown at the 30th Annual Art Auction to be held on July 14, 2011.

Harley Brown was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 1939 and grew up in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. He attended the Alberta College of Art in Calgary, Alberta, and lived in this city for over 30 years, honing his artistic skills. In 1964, Harley moved his family to London, England to attend the Camberwell School of Arts.  In 1973, he had his first one man art show in Helena, Montana, thanks to efforts of Bob Morgan, the Curator of the Historical Society.  In the 1990’s, he moved with his wife, Carol, to their present residence in Tucson, Arizona.

In addition to Harley Brown’s artistic focus on portraits of the people of First Nations, he also completed a commissioned portrait of Sir Winston Churchill in 1965 and several years later received commissions to paint portraits of President Ronald Reagan and other well known world celebrities. He has received numerous awards and gold medals for his outstanding art work including the prestigious Robert M. Lougheed Memorial Award in 1990. From 1980 to 1999, Harley instructed at painting workshops around the world. In 2005, he was invited to be a member of the Cowboy Artists of America (CAA) and he is also a member of the Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Autry Museum in Los Angeles, Northwest Rendezvous and the Tucson Seven. Harley is an annual exhibitor at the Prix de West Invitational Exhibition and Sale and he regularly contributes to the International Artist Magazine. He has published three books with the most recent being, “Harley Brown’s Inspiration for Every Artist”. He established the Harley Brown Scholarship Fund to support deserving students who wish to attend workshops at the Scottsdale School of Art in Arizona.  Harley Brown modestly considers himself to be a “fair” jazz pianist and his story telling abilities are beyond reproach.

The Calgary Stampede Western Art Auction Committee is honoured to be able to present the Outstanding Artist Achievement Award to Harley Brown, a truly gifted artist and humanitarian.