Event has been held from 2017 to 2024 at Flag Is Up Farm in Solvang
After spending the last eight years in Solvang, The 15th Anniversary of the SLOPOKE Art of the West Exhibition and Sale will take place on the weekend of Nov. 1 at the Octagon Barn Center in San Luis Obispo.
SLOPOKE is an annual juried art show that promotes the culture and spirit of the American West. Historic imagery is integrated with scenes of the 21st Century west to tell the ongoing story of the individuality, creativity, and grit of all American people. From 2017-24, the event was held at Flag Is Up Farms in Solvang.
SLOPOKE will open on Friday, Oct. 31, with a reception for ticket holders from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. It will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1 and 2, closing on Sunday night.
“The Opening Reception is on Halloween and it will be very special and lots of fun as we encourage folks to come in costume as their favorite western movie star or their favorite historic artist,” said Tom Burgher, CEO of SLOPOKE Events. “All ticket holders are invited.”
Originally launched as the SLOPOKE Western Art Rodeo in Pismo Beach in 2011 through 2016 when founders Tom and Sherie Burgher owned and operated Seaside Gallery. SLOPOKE has since been presented annually from 2017 to 2024 at Flag Is Up Farm in Solvang, a thoroughbred horse ranch owned by Monty and Pat Roberts. This year Burgher announced that it will be returning to San Luis Obispo County for the much-needed larger facility, ease of access, and increased parking capacity offered by the recently restored Octagon Barn Center.
“SLOPOKE has grown in popularity and even national recognition as a quality, annual art event that brings experienced and emerging artists together every year,” said Burgher. “It is designed to benefit artists, who often have a challenge finding a market for their creative product, by keeping the cost of participation low while giving broad reach to their art through traditional and social media outlets. It provides art lovers an opportunity to view and buy professional art without the need to travel to major urban art fairs.”
Located on South Higuera Street close to the 101 freeway, the Octagon Barn is one of only 60 such surviving barns in the United States. Unique to San Luis Obispo, historically the design was cheaper to build than a traditional rectangular barn because a larger area could be covered using less material. Known as The Octagon Barn Center, it was recently restored by the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo as a regional event center that is close to hotels and restaurants. It provides 5,000 square feet of exhibit space, modern restrooms, and parking for 120 vehicles. A portion of the proceeds from the show will benefit the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo.
“Nominally 35 artists are juried into the show based on their artistic skill, imagination, and the marketability of their work whether painting, sculpture, photography, or other media,” said Burgher. “All genres from realism to unidentifiable are considered based on these merits. Original art competes for Best of Show, Best Painting, Best Sculpture, Best Animal/Wildlife Art, Best Figurative Art, Best Depiction of the 21st Century West, and People’s Choice awards determined by an independent Featured Artist/Awards Jurist. Generally, a good mix of experienced and emerging artists are presented to art collectors at reasonable prices and without the need to travel to a large metropolitan area to see new art.”
Artists may apply at slopokeartshow@gmail. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Eventbrite.
For more information, call (805) 569-1235 or visit www.the-slopoke.com and Facebook/Instagram @slopokewesternartshow.
