Education & Scholarships

Helping Artists Grow

The mission of the Friends of Western Art is to expand appreciation and knowledge of Western Art through education. It is a natural fit for the Friends of Western Art to grant funding for youth art programs. FWA Board grants yearly support for scholarships and school art supply money connected with western art projects.

Learn more about our educational efforts

We’ve been asked, “What are the subjects that you consider to be Western or Southwestern art?” The following is a list of subject matter along with resources that may be helpful:

Architecture

Missions, ranch houses, mountain cabins, old buildings, farms, barns, adobe buildings, saloons, ghost towns, old Tucson Tile roofs, old gates and doors, rail fences, old walls, patios, corrals, bridges, old mine frames, windmills, arches, mail boxes, wells

Gardens

Fountains, arbors, gates, pathways, walkways, garden walls, fences, umbrellas, wagons, carts Flowers, flower pots, bougainvillea, holly hocks, cacti.

Landscape

Desert flowers, cactus flowers, saguaro, ocotillo, agave, yucca, cottonwoods, aspen, pines, palo verde, mesquite forests, chaparral Mountains, streams, rock formations, Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, Grand Canyon, Colorado River, Monument Valley, desert roads, sunsets, clouds, trains, railroad tracks, Sedona’s red cliffs.

Birds

Roadrunner, quail, wild turkey, buzzard, hawk, woodpecker, dove, cactus wren.

Animals

Buffalo, gila monster, mule, burro, antelope, cougar, deer, elk, jack rabbit, coyote, bob cat, badger, rattlesnake, cow, horse, desert fox, javelina, rooster.

Figures

Cowboy, cowgirl, Indian, Indian dancer, children in western dress.

Events

Rodeo, rodeo parade, round-up, branding, calf roping, mercado, fiesta, Indian event.

Conveyances

Wagons, stage coaches, horse-drawn carriages.

Resources/Inspirations

Sonora Desert Museum, Sabino Canyon, Tumacacori Mission, San Xavier Mission, Tucson barrio, Sonoita, Patagonia, Picacho Peak, Tohono Chul Park, Tombstone, Catalina State Park, Railroad Museum, Arizona Historical Museum, old photos, Indian ruins, Mt. Lemmon.