Taking Advantage of the Silent Partner Program

Heritage Frames in Fort Collins, CO donated "Apsaalooke Horse Hunters,"  a giclee canvas by Martin Grelle.  The donation was given to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for their 26th Annual Banquet and Auction.

This contribution was assisted by the Silent Partner Program of Somerset Fine Art. Somerset contributes art to be framed and donated in the name of the gallery to nonprofit causes supported by their civic-minded dealers throughout America.

Gallery making outdoor differences

 Bill Lindsey and Dan Allen, JMCA Board Member

The Gallery On Main located in Brevard, NC has donated a framed giclee on canvas called "Eternal Bear Spirit" to JMCA to assist in maintaining the trail system at Whiteside Mountain.  Bill & Libby Lindsey, owners, stated "We are pleased to help JMCA to fund maintenance of the trail system and development of interpretative signage for Whiteside mountain.  Hopefully this donation will assist a little bit."  Eternal Bear Spirit by North Carolina artist Phllip Philbeck has captured the spirit and image of the "shadow of the bear" which appears only for a brief period of time during autumn and winter. The bear is best viewed from the Rhodes Big View Overlook on US Hwy 64 approximately 4.5 miles west of Cashiers.

Lindsey also stated that the Gallery will donate 10% on any sale of prints or canvas of Eternal Bear Spirit. For further information on the availability of "Eternal Bear Spirit" you may call the gallery at 828-885-7299 or better yet visit us at 36 East Main Street in Brevard.

 

Libby and Bill Lindsey with artist, Phillip Philbeck

Contributions to the Mark Twain Museum

Andy Thomas's limited edition giclee entitled "American Storytellers" was donated by the Native American Trading Company to the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum this summer.  This piece features Norman Rockwell, Buffalo Bill, Teddy Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, Ernest Hemingway, Will Rogers, Frederic Remington, Charles M. Russell and Benjamin Franklin - some of America's most famous storytellers - all listening to Mark Twain.

This contribution was assisted by the Silent Partner Program of Somerset Fine Art. Somerset contributes art to be framed and donated in the name of the gallery to nonprofit causes supported by their civic-minded dealers throughout America.

Penrose Community Libray Donation

The Penrose Community Library is located in a rural, unincorporated area in Penrose, CO. They serve a population of approximately 5,000 and acts as a vital link between its residents and the community.

Knowing the importance that this library serves in it's community, Martin Grelle and Classic Leather Designs donated “Apsaroke Guardian.” The library currently has this piece hanging in a quiet reading area. In the few short weeks it has been here, they have received many inquiries and compliments about the artwork. This contribution was assisted by the Silent Partner Program of Somerset Fine Art. Somerset contributes art to be framed and donated in the name of the gallery to nonprofit causes supported by their civic-minded dealers throughout America.

Phillip Philbeck

An artist reception was held in July at the Rock Gallery of Fine Art in Blowing Rock, NC in honor of Phillip Philbeck. He personalized purchased canvases and offered oil enhancements. However, the main event was the unveiling of his newest release, "Eternal Bear Spirit," of Whiteside Mountain in Nantahala National Forest.

Silent Partner Program Going Strong

Somerset Fine Art has partnered once again with two different galleries to assist them through the silent partner program. This program allows Somerset to contribute art to be framed and donated in the name of the gallery to nonprofit causes.

The Covenant

The Elsinore Framing and Fine Art Gallery and proprietor, Steve Narkaus, donated James Seward's original art piece, The Covenant, to Salem First Church of the Nazerene.

The Glory of San Pietro by Rod Chase

In addition, Wide Water Gallery in Ottawa, Illinois donated The Glory of San Pietro by Rod Chase to Marquette Academy. The Academy celebrated their 29^th Annual May Merriment Dinner and Auction on May 7, 2011 at the High School Gymnasium. This year’s theme was the Kentucky Derby. The event was attended by over 200 guests who enjoyed a Gourmet Feast catered by local restaurants and food suppliers. During hors d’oeuvres and dinner a large silent auction was held along with games and raffles, followed by a live auction.

Riecke's Bayside Art Gallery

"Grizzly Mountain"
Andy Thomas

A.L.E.R.T. stands for Advanced Life Support and Emergency Rescue Team and it has been around since 1975. The A.L.E.R.T. Bell 407 rescue helicopter is owned and operated by Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell, Montana. To raise finanical support, the A.L.E.R.T board held a fundraiser on April 16th. Riecke's Bayside Art Gallery contributed "Grizzly Mountain" by Andy Thomas. This contribution was assisted by the Silent Partner Program of Somerset Fine Art. Somerset contributes art to be framed and donated in the name of the gallery to nonprofit causes supported by their civic-minded dealers throughout America.

June Dudley

“Wide, Open Spaces”

At the recent 35^th annual San Dimas Festival of Arts “National Western Art Exhibition & Sale” in California, June Dudley was one of 45 artists with approximately 225 pieces of original art. She was awarded the “Gold Award in Acrylic/Watercolor” and “Best of Show” for her painting, “Wide, Open Spaces”, a 24x30 acrylic painting. She also received the “Festival Choice Award” which is a purchase award selected by the festival committee which means her painting goes into their permanent collection along with others like Cyrus Afsary. This is the first time in the history of the show that all three awards have gone to a female artist, and only the second time in the shows’ history that it has gone to any one artist.

She is a native Texan living in the Bryan, College Station area where she has many collectors. June’s family own and operate a ranch in Grimes County which provides inspiration and subject matter for many of her paintings.

See Western Art Collector, April, 2011, p. 84-88 for an article on the show.

Richard Reyonlds

People are awed by the color and detail of the beautiful high resolution images by Richard Reynolds. A colorful display of multiple images brings attention from young and old, male and female.

They generate a buzz!
They bring traffic into a gallery!
They inspire ideas!
They ring the cash register!

Look at this amazing display at the Brookwood Community Gift Store in Brookshire, TX. This store carries a wide variety of merchandise. They sell pottery, flowers, gifts, hats, decor, and food items. The display arrived on March 9, 2011 and as of May 9, 2011 (two months later), they have sold 32 pieces totaling $5,596.60

Deck the Walls in Austin, TX has also had great success with their display. This Somerset Fine Art dealer is located near Richard Reynold's home. Thus, they hosted a one-day show in partnership with Somerset House. 35 pieces were hung for the show. The day of the show was an extraordinary sales day for the gallery. The majority of sales actually came from items other than the high-res flowers. The dealer has retained and purchased several pieces to maintain a display because of the positive reaction from visitors to the gallery.

Silver Eagle Gallery

A Time to Heal is a twelve week program that was started three years ago for breast cancer survivors. The program offers help and support in all areas of life.

This program held a fundraiser on April 15th in which the Silver Eagle Gallery donated and framed a piece by Susan Blackwood titled "Life is just a Bowl of Cherries." The contribution to A Time to Heal by Silver Eagle Gallery was assisted by The Silent Partner Program of Somerset Fine Art. Somerset contributes art to be framed and donated in the name of the gallery to non-profit causes supported by their civic-minded dealers throughout America.


The winning bid brought in a little over $400. Pictured above is Larry and Sandy Nye, the owners of Silver Eagle Gallery, Jodi Danner, one of the three women that began A Time to Heal, and Lora O'Rourke the winner of Blackwood's piece.

SPRING LUNCHEON AND STYLE SHOW

Hill Country CattleWomen sponsor a spring luncheon and style show to raise money for our scholarship program. Traditionally held in Kerrville during April, the event features a silent auction, a raffle with numerous prizes, and our new live auction, plus a delicious lunch followed by a fashion show with clothes and accessories from Hill Country shops and stores, and - cowboys serving complimentary champagne!

Hill Country CattleWomen annually award scholarships to students from the fourteen counties in its membership area. Two scholarships in either an agriculture or dietary nutrition related major are awarded, and additional scholarships in any major are usually available. Applicants should have attained a college level junior status and have an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above.

Membership in Hill Country CattleWomen is open to all women living in Bandera, Blanco, Edwards, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Northern Bexar, Real, and San Saba counties. Owning a cow, or being married to a rancher, is not necessary. Sharing an interest in and a commitment to the beef industry is the only requirement

The contribution to Hill Country CattleWomen by Dust Devil Diver Photography was assisted by The Silent Partner Program of Somerset Fine Art. Somerset contributes art to be framed and donated in the name of the gallery to non-profit causes supported by their civic-minded dealers throughout America.

A Conversation with master artist June Dudley

Western Artists of America “Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Western Artists of America is an organization formed in 2000 for the purpose of promoting the talents of professional artists specializing in the genre of cowboy, Native American, pioneer, cattle and horse subjects with backgrounds appropriate to the subject matter. Formed to showcase the talents of the many qualified fine Western artists of today irrespective of gender, the more seasoned members seek out up-and-coming talent who exhibit a high interest in the western genre for mentoring.”
Western Art Collector Jan. 2011

WAA just celebrated their tenth anniversary with a show at the Pearce Civil War & Western Art Museum in Corsicana, Texas. President of the group is Ed Holmes.

Honoring a Legend

We published this portrait of Ronald Reagan just over a year ago.

Reagan by Andy Thomas

One of our dealers, Sandy Meyer, saw fit to do something unique with it. Not only is Reagan a personal hero, but there is also a special family connection for her. Her father use to shoe Ronald Reagan's horses for him and always spoke very highly of him. She took it upon herself to add to this truly iconic piece with a leather matting that is engraved with several of Reagan's famous quotes.
Honoring President Reagan


Here is a close up of one of the twelve quotes surrounding the portrait.

You will also notice that in each of the four corners it reads "In God We Trust."
other quotes include:
"Democracy is worth dying for, because it is the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man."

"There is no institution more vital to our nation's survival than the American family."

"Mr. Gorbechev, tear down this wall!"

"Government's first duty is to protect the people, not to run their lives."

"There are no easy answers, but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to know what is morally right."

"I have always believed that America is strongest and freest and happiest when it is truest to the wisdom of it's founders."

"While I take inspiration from the past like most Americans, I live for the future."

"Don't let anyone tell you that America's best days are behind her- that the American Spirit has been vanquished. We've seen her triumph too often in our own lives to stop believing in her now."