For immediate release

Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale
Cody, Wyoming
Contact Diane Ballard, director
1-888-598-8119, or (307) 587-5002
art@codychamber.org

Editor's note: Downloadable photos available HERE.

Young Artists Share Stage with Masters

Cody, Wyo. – The Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale is extending an opportunity to young artists from across Wyoming to display and sell a piece of art at one of the nation’s most prestigious Western art shows.

The two winners of the fourth annual Gilly Fales Fine Art Award will each receive a $500 scholarship, participate in the 2004 Buffalo Art Show & Sale, and have their work seen by hundreds of serious art collectors from nationwide in the annual art show catalog and during a month-long exhibition at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center.

Travis Chamberlain, one of last year’s recipients, felt a boost of confidence when he saw his ceramic sculpture displayed alongside works by Gerald Balciar, T.J. Feeley, Ralph Oberg, Sherry Salari Sander and more than 90 other leading Western artists.

“It’s cool to see your own work up there on the wall, and to see your piece in all the flyers and the ads,” he says. “It gives you a lot of self confidence.”

The 19-year-old student at Northwest College in Powell says it was “interesting and fun” to see the workings of an auction from behind the scenes. The auction itself, where some artwork sold for as much as $21,000, left a lasting impression.

“It definitely gave me an insight as to whether someone really can make money in the art world,” Chamberlain notes.

Applications for the Gilly Fales Fine Art Award are open to Wyoming residents ages 18-25. Applicants may be majoring in art-related programs in college or taking part in other art-related ventures. An anonymous jury will award a $500 scholarship to one winner in two-dimensional art and one winner in three-dimensional art.

Award winners will exhibit their work during the art show, Aug. 24 through Sept. 24. They’ll also receive invitations to the dinner, auction and other major events the weekend of Sept. 24-25.

The Gilly Fales Memorial Foundation created the scholarship to empower young adults with a passion for the arts. Gilly Fales was an actress, singer, director and designer who embraced every opportunity to create.

Applicants are asked to submit a short application form and a photo or slide of their artwork. The application deadline is May 15. For an application or more information, call art show director Diane Ballard, (307) 587-5002, or email art@codychamber.org. The form can also be downloaded here.