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ARTWORK BY PHIL TOGNAZZINI
Mark
your calendars now for the first weekend in November for the 15th annual
Paso Gathering,
a select show and sale of western art and cowboy gear
that will be held at the Pioneer Museum at 2010 Riverside Avenue in Paso
Robles.
This
annual event is the main fundraiser for the Pioneer Museum and has
gathered quite a reputation with
exhibitors, and collectors alike, throughout the west.
With craftsman coming from as far away as Nevada, this is the place to add
to your collection or do that holiday shopping for the special cowboy or
cowgirl or collector in
the family. Western artists, saddlemakers, rawhide
braiders, silversmiths, and bit and spur makers all converge on the museum
to showcase their wares, visit with
friends, and offer some of the most unique western art
and gear to be found.
Mari
James, a rawhide braider from the Sierra foothills,
will be back again this year with an even bigger selection
of custom-made bosals and reins and she will take orders
if you don’t see exactly what you had in mind.
Local
western artist Phil Tognazzini, who designed the
poster for the Paso Gathering, will also be exhibiting and offering his
work for sale. If you are
looking for authentic
art of the early Vaquero cowboys, check out Phil’s etchings or some of
his newer works with water color and pen and ink.
Mitch
and Kelly Roth will also be on hand with a
wide-array of metal art for the ranch or home.
Whether
you are looking for a custom-gate or an ornate towel
rack, they will have what you are looking for.
And, like
most exhibitors, if they don’t have the exact piece you
need, they will work with you to create a custom-order.
If
you have a bit or a set of spurs that you think might
be worth something, bring a photo along with you as
there will be several collectors at the event that can help you identify
what you have and what the value might be.
One
of the highlights of this year’s event is the drawing
for a Sterling Silver Inlaid Bit handcrafted by Ed Field of Santa Barbara.
Tickets for the drawing will be available throughout both days of
the event, with the winner being announced on Sunday at 4:00PM.
You can also purchase tickets ahead of time at the Pioneer Museum
so don’t miss out on this great chance to own a piece of the west.
Other items, donated by the exhibitors, will also be
offered in the drawing.
Plan
on staying several hours as there is a lot to see
and you will probably meet up with your ranching friends
and neighbors. Many of the
artisans work while at the Gathering so you might get a chance to see how
horsehair
is hitched or rawhide is braided right before your very
eyes, a real treat for children who may have never
seen cowboy art before.
Cowboy
cooking will be available on the grounds too,
so come by for lunch and help support our Pioneer Museum.
A few sponsorships are still available for this event, so
if you would like to be a part of it, please contact the museum volunteer
staff at 239-4556. Additional
information is available at www.pasoroblespioneermuseum.org
ARTICLE BY: Judy
Bedell
Paso
Robles Magazine Website
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