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A beloved Will James exhibition is back
on view at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s
Museum of the West.
W
hen Western Spirit:
Scottsdale’s Museum
of the West opened
in early 2015, one of the original
exhibitions featured the work of
Will James.
The exhibition, Will James:
Cowboy Artist and Author, is back
by popular demand at the museum
in Scottsdale, Arizona. The second
presentation of the exhibition
opened in May and will continue
through August 18.
“As a working cowboy, Will James
was able to work up close and
personal with horses and cattle. In his
artwork, most notably his illustrations,
James perfected the expression
and muscle-packed energy of his
subjects—especially horses,” says
Tricia Loscher, the museum’s curator.
“We are thrilled to bring back this
popular exhibition for a limited
three-month run during our summer
season so that locals, staycationers
and visitors alike can come in an
experience the life force of this
extraordinary iconic Western artist.”
The exhibition is on loan from
Abe Hays, a prominent Western
collector out of nearby Paradise
Valley, Arizona. On view will
be James’ paintings, drawings,
etchings, books and ephemera.
The Abe Hays Family Will James
Collection is the largest and most
comprehensive collection of
James’ work in private hands. It
features 80-plus original works of
art, all 26 of his books and those
illustrated by James for other
authors; letters; photographs;
posters; prints; and artifacts,
including his Winchester M1894
carbine rifle, pen knife, World War
I dog tags and his saddle.
Not only was James a prolific
artist, but he was also an award-
winning author best known for his
first book, Smoky the Cowhorse,
which won the prestigious
Newberry Medal for children’s
literature and was made into three
film adaptions. James had 26
books published, and eight of them
will also available for sale in the
museum’s store.
For more information
about the museum, visit
scottsdalemuseumwest.org.Will James (1892-1942), And Rough is a Mighty Tame Name for Them,
1928, graphite on paperboard. The Abe Hays Family Will James Collection.
Photo: Paul LarsonWill and Alice James at their Washoe
Valley Cabin, Nevada, 1923. The Abe
Hays Family Will James Collection.Will James (1892-1942), Smoky and Clint, ca. 1929, oil on canvas.
The Abe Hays Family Will James Collection. Photo: Paul Larson