SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West announced today the upcoming opening of Sled Dogs in America: Alaska and Beyond by Western painter and sculptor Veryl Goodnight, on July 17, 2024.
A Colorado native, Goodnight's artistic journey began in the early 1970s as a wildlife painter. Her fascination with anatomy led her to sculpture, which became the primary focus of her career throughout the late 20th century. With over 200 sculptures and 20 life-size or larger monuments to her name, Goodnight's work has always been deeply rooted in the Western tradition.
The exhibition, Sled Dogs in America: Alaska & Beyond, marks a notable shift in Goodnight's artistic exploration, showcasing her return to oil painting. This collection delves into the captivating world of sled dogs and their drivers, shedding light on their often-overlooked roles in American history. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to witness Goodnight's creative process firsthand, with props used in the creation of her art on display alongside historical texts that narrate the remarkable stories behind these noble creatures and their intrepid handlers.
"We are honored to host Veryl Goodnight's latest masterpieces at Western Spirit," said Todd Bankofier, CEO and Executive Director of Western Spirit Scottsdale's Museum of the West. "Her innate ability to capture the spirit of the American West is unparalleled, and this exhibition promises to offer a captivating journey into the heart of one of the region's most iconic traditions."
Goodnight expressed her excitement about the exhibition: "Through ‘Sled Dogs in America: Alaska and Beyond’, Western Spirit recognized the little-known but crucial roles sled dogs and their drivers have had in shaping our continent. I am thrilled to see my own work shine a light on these unsung canine heroes.”
Goodnight has pursued the sled dog story for 15 years with the help of Alaska historian Helen Hegener, whose vast knowledge and contributions are integral to this exhibition. Hegener’s book, now referred to by many around the globe as “the sled dog bible” was the basis for formatting the exhibit. She used 17 of Goodnight's paintings, including the cover painting, in the 416-page book, “The History of Sled Dogs in North America.”
Sled Dogs in America: Alaska & Beyond is a testament to Veryl Goodnight's artistic versatility in exploring a new frontier in Western art and her continuous unwavering commitment to preserving the rich tapestry of Western heritage.
This exhibition runs through April 27, 2025, at Western Spirit. For more information and to see a video of Goodnight’s work, click here.
Western Spirit features regularly changing and permanent exhibits of Western and Native American art and artifacts, entertaining events, and informative programs that bring the West’s heritage, culture, and community to life. Current special exhibitions are Inner Light: The Art of Tom Gilleon, through August of 2024; William Matthews: Decades, through Fall, 2024; Kids in Focus: Focus on Western Spirit by local youth through August 2024, and Dazzling Array: The Richard A. Gates Collection of Native American Jewelry”, currently on display. Also upcoming on July 2, will be the opening of The Southwest Women's Art Collection: An Arizona Legacy.
Permanent exhibitions continuously on display include Canvas of Clay: Hopi Pottery Masterworks from The Allan and Judith Cooke Collection, featuring 65 of the finest examples of Hopi pottery spanning six centuries; the Frankie and Howard Alper Collection of John Coleman Bronzes; and The Abe Hays Family Spirit of the West Collection, a showcase of more than 1,400 saddles, spurs, cowboy gear and other Old West objects.
For more information on Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, go to Scottsdalemuseumwest.org.
About Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
Western Spirit is located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. Within months of opening in January 2015, Western Spirit qualified as a Smithsonian Affiliate. The museum has also received the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, enjoys a 4.5 out of 5-star rating on both TripAdvisor and Yelp, and is continually recognized as one of the “Nation’s Best Western Museums” by True West magazine, most recently named the #1 Western Museum in the United States for 2023. Also, named to Phoenix Magazine’s 2022 Best of The Valley Readers' Choice, Arizona Foothill’s Best of Our Valley 2023 & 2024 for “Best Museum” & “Best Annual Charity Event: Saddle Up” and the winner of Your Valley’s “East Valley Favorites” for the museum category. For more information, visit www.scottsdalemuseumwest.org
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Media Contact: Alison Rose, alison@48westagency.com. 602-300-3433.
