Biz Look: The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
New treasures await visitors to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum this year. The Cowboy will host intriguing exhibitions and open an outdoor experiential playscape this spring.
Warhol, Lange & True Grit Exhibitions
Andy Warhol isn’t a name that comes to mind when most people think about Western art. But the legendary artist traveled extensively in the West and found inspiration there. “People will be surprised to know he loved the West, and he wore cowboy boots quite often, sometimes splattered in paint,” says Gina Anderson, Communications Strategist for The Cowboy. Running through May 10th, Warhol and the West features art from Warhol’s last major project, Cowboys and Indians. Western objects and works from his personal collection are also on view.
Another stellar exhibition will open February 14th. Dorothea Lange: Politics of Seeing will showcase some of the 20th century’s most unforgettable photographs, paired with quotes and comments from the people Lange photographed. The exhibition will include unedited proof sheets, personal memorabilia, and historic objects.
Movie buffs can enjoy Two Grits: A Peek Behind the Eyepatch, an exhibition contrasting the 1969 and 2010 versions of “True Grit”. Visitors can even see the script copy used by John Wayne, with a doodle on the side of one page along with his Academy Award.
Experiential Learning at its Best
The $15 million dollar expansion will premiere to the public just in time for spring break, March 14th-20th. It’s called Liichokoshkomo’ (pronounced Lee cho- kosh-ko-MO), a Chickasaw phrase for “Let’s play!” This hands-on, minds-on space will include an intertribal Native American village, trading post, railcar, indoor event center, and much more.
Something for Everyone
“We foster diversity and showcase the cultural influences that helped build the American West – here everyone is a Cowboy,” says Gina. “The Cowboy’s best loved traditions will continue in 2020 and beyond, including the prestigious Prix de West art show and the Chuck Wagon Festival. But new exhibitions and events are creating an experience that is inclusive and family- centered.
The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum is located at 1700 NE 63rd Street and online at nationalcowboymuseum.org.
