‍Opening Reception: Friday September 23, 6-8 pm 

RSVP: https://wg-pop-up-2022.eventbrite.com 

Artist Talk: Saturday September 24, 2pm 

Final Look: Sunday September 25, 10am-12:30pm  

What/Who: ‘Online-first’ fine art gallery, Western Gallery, is hosting their debut, in-person pop-up exhibition of 13 works by West Texas artist Lucile Wedeking opposite of a curated selection from the gallery’s Impermanent Collection, representing 20 artists from across the Western US. Many artists will be in attendance. 

When: Friday September 23 – Sunday September 25, 2022 

Where: Vaughn Gallery, 2307 Thornton Road #112, Austin, TX 78704 

Why: Western Gallery is bringing its online experience to the ‘real world’ so art enthusiasts can view contemporary western artworks in person, meet the artists and socialize face-to-face for the first time. 

How: Come visit in person at Vaughn Gallery through the weekend. 

Attend a scheduled event or pop in to browse. 

Contact: George Irwin, george@western.gallery, 512-693-8787 

ONLINE ART GALLERY WESTERN GALLERY IS POPPING UP IN AUSTIN TO SHOWCASE CONTEMPORARY WESTERN ART IN PERSON 

Featuring ‘Legends of the SMS,’ 13 new works by West Texas artist Lucile Wedeking, opposite a curated selection from the Western Gallery Impermanent Collection, which represents 20 artists from across the American West. All works will be available. 

(AUSTIN, TEXAS – August 18, 2022; source: Western Gallery) – Abstract to photorealistic, classic to contemporary—Western Gallery has shown artwork that fits all those descriptors, but never in person until now. 

“It’s our first meatspace exhibition!” founder and director George Irwin says of Western Gallery’s debut pop-up exhibition planned for September 23-25 in South Austin. Maybe not what you’d expect from the owner of a gallery focused on cowboys and western landscapes, but then, this isn’t your typical western art gallery, and Irwin isn’t a typical gallery director. 

Irwin incorporated Western Gallery in January of 2020 with the goal of serving contemporary western art collectors with an online-first model, curating work from artists he’d met primarily on Instagram. After two years of successful online group shows (featuring artists from Austin, across the West and around the world) and an expanding online program, Irwin is more than ready to host this first pop-up event. 

“Western Gallery’s collectors have been waiting a long time for an exhibition IRL,” Irwin states, again revealing his tech background. He notes there have been informal meet-ups and in-person studio visits along the way, but that he’s thrilled to be exhibiting work in person. 

“Everyone knows there’s nothing like seeing a painting in person. I don’t care how good your screen is—it’s just not the same. That’s been a selling point for WG, actually, because if you love something you see on your screen enough to acquire it, you’re blown away when you unpack it in your home. But this [in-person exhibition] is next level.” 

Despite never having shown work in-person before, Western Gallery has placed work from hundreds of artists into notable collections across the West. Irwin says that his biggest client bases are in Austin and Denver, and he hopes to make in-person exhibitions a regular occurrence, though his primary focus will still be online sales. Perhaps the online/pop-up gallery is a new model for a new generation of art collectors? 

The September 23 Austin pop-up will feature a solo show of West Texas artist Lucile Wedeking’s new body of work opposite curated works from Western Gallery’s Impermanent Collection artists.

ABOUT THE IMPERMANENT COLLECTION

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow 

The Impermanent Collection is a rotating exhibition of works by some of the very best artists in the West. 

Represented Art and Artists 

Each artist in Western Gallery’s Impermanent Collection is creating exciting and important work in the contemporary and Western genres. They are highly regarded, true professionals, dedicated to their craft and sharing their views of the West. We’re grateful for the privilege to represent these artists and show their work, and are fully invested in curating this ongoing, evolving exhibition to highlight western-focused works that are relevant in the wider contemporary art conversation. 

Impermanence 

All works in this collection are available for a limited time, and may come and go without warning. Members of the Western Gallery Guest List receive first opportunity to view and acquire new works whenever possible. Join here: https://western.gallery/contact/ 

ABOUT VAUGHN GALLERY 

Vaughn Art was founded by Rachel Drake, supported by Ashley Nussbaum, to give emerging artists a platform and a space to grow their independent art businesses, while curating art for collectors for personal enjoyment and investment pieces.