Phoenix, Ariz. (Oct. 22, 2009) – The Cowboy Artists of America (CAA) celebrated the close of its annual Sale Weekend (Oct. 16-17, 2009) with two new Active Members, two new Emeritus Members, a new slate of officers and a change to its most coveted award.

The CAA family welcomed painter Tom Browning and sculptor Paul Moore to its fold this past weekend. Browning has been painting professionally since 1972 and recently received the Prix de West Purchase Award in 2009 for his painting The Dawn of a New Day. Moore has gained national and international recognition with his portrait and monument sculpture and is a member of the Creek (Muscogee) Nation, Sweet Potato Clan.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Tom and Paul to the CAA family,” says Fred Fellows, CAA President. “Their talent and skillful portrayal of the American West complement the CAA organization and everything it stands for.”

Long-time CAA members Herb Mignery and Don Crowley were granted their requests to move from Active to Emeritus status at the annual CAA business meeting on Oct. 14, 2009. The CAA organization wishes them the best in future endeavors and are happy they continue to be a part of the CAA family.

At the annual meeting, the CAA membership also elected its new officers for 2009-10. Fred Fellows will serve as president in the 45th year of the organization, Martin Grelle as vice-president and director, John Coleman as past president and director, and Tim Cox and John Moyers join the board serving as directors.

The CAA Sale Awards Banquet marked a renewal of the long-standing relationship between the CAA and Stetson. The CAA Award is now the Stetson CA Award. This award is especially meaningful since the Active CA members determine which of their peers will receive it each year.

“As John B. Stetson etched his name into history, the artists who have been honored with this award ensure that the spirit of the west will live forever,” says Stan Redding of Stetson.

In spite of the state of the economy, opening night sales of the 131 pieces of art were almost $1.1 million; as of Oct. 23, total sales are close to $1.4 million. The exhibition opened to the public on Sunday, Oct. 18 and for the first time, unsold pieces were made available for viewing online at http://www.caashow.org. Post-sales continue to be strong - and as pieces sell they will be removed from the site. The exhibition will hang and unsold pieces will be available for viewing until Nov. 15, 2009.

The Cowboy Artists of America was founded in Sedona, Ariz., in 1965 and has 23 active members who paint, sculpt and draw variations of the Western theme, including cowboys, the mountain men, the Plains Indians and the settlers. The CAA membership, recognizable by the CA brand on a member’s work of art, is something to which many of today’s up-and-coming Western artists aspire. Learn more at http://www.cowboyartistsofamerica.com.

Phoenix, Ariz. (June 30, 2009) – Members of the Cowboy Artists of America (CAA) are known for their depictions of the old American West, but they are embracing technology with a newly redesigned website that will bring them into the future.

The website, http://www.cowboyartistsofamerica.com, now boasts a Merchandise section with online shopping via PayPal. Visitors can browse and purchase posters and Sale catalogs – both soft cover and autographed, hardcover, collector’s Limited Edition boxed sets – from the CAA’s annual Sale & Exhibition. The site features merchandise dating back to 1990, with select older pieces being added soon.

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer merchandise directly to people who have an interest in the CAA,” says John Coleman, CAA President. “Many people collect the posters and catalogs from the Sale each year, and now they are all in one place for them to easily find.”

The CAA website has a new look that highlights the art of its 23 active members. It is the place to go for information about the organization and its active and emeritus members, as well as news and events related to the CAA. There is information about the annual trail ride tradition of the CAA, as well as the annual Sale & Exhibition, which takes place each October. The home page also features a new In the Studio article each month that takes a closer look at each of the active artists and their work.

The CAA launched its first website in 2004. Five years later, Tomko Design and JFW Communications completed the redesign in May 2009.

The Cowboy Artists of America was founded in Sedona, Ariz., in 1965 and has 23 active members who paint, sculpt and draw variations of the Western theme, including cowboys, the mountain men, the Plains Indians and the settlers. The CAA membership, recognizable by the CA brand on a member’s work of art, is something to which many of today’s up-and-coming Western artists aspire. Learn more at http://www.cowboyartistsofamerica.com.