Art of the West

from Our Hometown: Chula Vista & Bonita - June 2023

Applications Now Being Accepted for Members of the Chula Vista Elementary School District Independent Citizens Oversight Committee

Art of the West exhibitions and auction opens Sat. July 8th with a gala reception, Western barbeque and auction at the Bonita Museum & Cultural Center located in San Diego, California. The exhibition, which runs from July 8 through August 19, is curated by local Western art collectors such as Mehl Lawson, Mark Fehlman and features artworks from San Diego County collectors. Artists in the exhibition include Roy Anderson, Joe Bohler, Tom Browning, Marcia Burtt, Bruce

Green, Ralph Love, Harry Jackson, Calvin Liang, Michael Malm, John Moyers, Terry Moyers, Bill Owen, Bob Pummill, Jim Reynolds, Jason Rich, Ray Roberts,Bob “Shoofly” Shufelt, Eric Sloan and Olaf Weighorst. Live and silent auctions will feature art works by local artists and sculpture by Mehl Lawson. Bonita is home to Cowboy Artist of America and Traditional Cowboy Arts Association member Mehl Lawson who leads a paint-out in the Sweetwater Valley every May as well as passing on sculpture traditions to the next generation of artists.

The rural area of Bonita in San Diego County is home to many stables, horse trainers and trails. The museum has documented the life of local animal lover and TV celebrity Joan Embery recreating her tack rooms as well as chronicling her life. The Bonita Museum & Cultural Center has hosted several western art exhibitions and is excited to host Art of the West. During the past two years the museum raised funds to create a life size artist bronze of Mehl Lawson’s WR This Cats Smart which was installed outside of the museum. WR’ was sculpted in the museum allowing the public to watch the process. Since the installation in 2022, it has become a landmark in South San Diego County celebrating horse culture of the Sweetwater Valley.

The Art of the West exhibition dates from July 8 – August 19 will feature paint demonstrations as well walk throughs with local collectors.