A highlight of this year's show is the addition of a Dutch oven cook-off on Saturday as well as Dutch oven demonstrations on Sunday. Saturday will feature a three-pot cook off, consisting of a bread, a main dish and a dessert.

The goal of this event is to have fun, demonstrate Dutch oven cooking skills and introduce the public to the joys of Dutch oven cooking.

This competition is a sanctioned International Dutch Oven Society (IDOS) event, with rules in keeping with IDOS guidelines. The winning team earns the right to compete at the 2013 World Championships, provided they pay the $50 entry fee, are members in good standing of IDOS and cover their own travel expenses. A panel of celebrity judges will use IDOS guidelines to determine the Historic Ritzville Days Dutch Oven Cook-Off winners.

The Sixth Annual Historic Ritzville Days Western Art Show and Cowboy Gathering is slated for May 25-27, 2012, in Downtown Ritzville. Make sure you drop by!

The Ritzville Downtown Development Association produces and hosts the annual Western Art Show to help celebrate public art and attract attention to the city's efforts to revitalize its downtown through the use of art.

Fine Art Auction

The annual Fine Art Auction to benefit the art show was Friday, May 27, during the Artists' Reception at the American Legion Memorial Hall in Ritzville.

The list of items in this year's auction by clicking HERE!

The Fifth Annual Historic Ritzville Days Western Art Show was May 27-29, 2011, in Downtown Ritzville.

Click here to see the 2011 poster design!

Nona Hengen, well-known artist and author, unveiled her latest paintings during the 2010 show. Posters of these works were created specifically for this event.

The Fourth Annual Historic Ritzville Days Western Art Show was May 28-30, 2010, in Downtown Ritzville.

Click here to see the 2010 poster design!

Artwork

Artists submit artwork to the Western Art Show Executive Committee for use in all event publicity materials.

Jim Lisk, Cowboy Cartoonist International president and Ritzville resident, submitted the artwork for the 2011 Western Art Show.

The 2010 Western Art Show publicity materials featured an original by Jack Fordyce, which was completed in 2009.

The 2009 Western Art Show posters featured an original by Fred Oldfield completed in 2009. In addition, Oldfield's artwork donned promotional post cards provided to registered artists.

Cowboy Cartoonist International (CCI) member Jim Lisk provided an original piece for promotional post cards provided to registered CCI artists as well as other artists. Both post card designs were sent to area galleries and distributed locally prior to the 2009 show.

2011 artwork by Jim Lisk

2010 artwork by Jack Fordyce

Fred Oldfield's original painting was featured on the 2009 art show poster and some post cards. Click here to see the 2009 Poster design!

Sherryl Evans' original painting, When Farming Was A Family Affair, was featured on the 2008
art show poster and post cards.