The Museum of Western Art in Kerrville, Texas, is an art museum dedicated to the paintings and sculptures of contemporary artists of the American West who follow in the tradition of Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell. In addition to the rotating collection, the museum also has an extensive western research library and Journey West children's gallery.Texas Transportation Commission, 2008 State Travel Guide, p. 92 The museum uses the motto "Where the Legend Lives".
History The museum opened on April 23, 1983 as the Cowboy Artists of America Museum, intended to serve as the headquarters of the Cowboy Artists of America."Cowboy Artists of America Museum" at Handbook of Texas Online (retrieved July 13, 2009). The building was designed by the late O'Neil Ford, a pioneer in the Southwestern style of architecture. In 2004, the Masel S. Quinn Pavilion of the Western Art Academy was completed for use in ongoing education programs.
A subsequent dispute led to the dissolution of formal ties between the museum and the association, and the museum changed its name to the National Center for American Western Art and then to The Museum of Western Art in 2003."New Kerrville museum changes Western art emphasis", Fort Worth Star-Telegram, August 13, 2003 (pay site).
Highlights
The museum's exterior features a hacienda-type exterior designed by Texas architect O'Neill Ford and manicured grounds graced by larger-than-lifesize western sculptures. The 14,000 square foot of interior space houses an impressive permanent collection of paintings and sculptures, all done by past and present western artists. Handcrafted boveda ceilings, end-cut mesquite and Saltillo tile flooring combine with a multitude of western artifacts and art. In addition to three indoor galleries, a western research library, the Journey West Children's gallery and a museum store. An outdoor pavilion is used frequently for special events, wedding receptions, corporate gatherings, reunions and educational classes.
Permanent Collection
The Museum of Western Art's permanent collection contains paintings and sculptures from some of the leading artists in America in the last two centuries. Some recognizable names include Robert Pummill, Frank McCarthy, Oscar Beninghaus, Fred Fellows, Bill Nebeker, Grant Speed, George Phippen, and Orland Joe. These works are rotated throughout the year to give returning visitors always something new to view.
Journey West Children's Gallery This interactive gallery opened in 2005, focused on creating a learning experience for youngsters to learn how life was on the wagon trail. Featured fun include a chuckwagon to climb into, tipi to crawl into, campfire setting, western artifacts and chronological calendar entries, plus dress-up clothes.
Special Exhibitions Throughout the year, juried exhibits from leading U.S. western artists are on display giving museum-goers opportunity to purchase art. Among the top artists in recent years have been Quang Ho, Scott Christiansen, Kevin McPherson, Walt Gonske and western photographer Rachel Spencer. Scheduled during 2026 include Adrienne Stein and in American Women Artist of America. Each year in April, the annual Western Roundup Exhibition & Sale is held that attracts over 40 of the top artists in the Western art genre.
Western Artifacts The Museum also has on view one of the largest collections of barbed wire in the country, a collection of authentic cap guns from the old Wild West shows, a display of ladies antique pistols, and the actual headdress worn by the Quanah Parker, the last principal chief of the Comanche Ntion.
Awards and Recognitions
The museum has received recognition as one of the top western art museums in the U.S. by True West Magazine from 2021 - 2026. In 2025 it was rated the Top Western Art Museum in the U.S. It has also been rated by a reader poll of The Kerrville Daily Times as the Top Attraction in Kerrville for 2021 and 2024. For its numerous podcasts with notable artists, the museum won the 2024 Academy of Interactive & Visutal Arts 'Award of Distinction" award. +Museum of Western ArtEstablished1983Location1550 Bandera Highway Kerrville, TexasCoordinates30.0244°N 99.1371°WCoordinates: 30.0244°N 99.1371°WTypeArt museumWebsitemuseumofwesternart.com
Location
Located five miles off I-10, exit 508, the museum is an hour's drive northwest of San Antonio. Regular hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission rates listed on website, www.museumofwesternart.com. Current and retired military always complimentary when military i.d. is presented.
See also Museums in Texas Museums in Central Texas
References
External links Museum of Western Art - official site