Contemporary Western Sculpture Featured at 5TH Anniversary of SLO-Poke Western Art Rodeo

The SLO-POKE Western Art Rodeo runs through July 31 at Seaside Gallery located at 580 Cypress Street in Pismo Beach. Included in the show are seven talented sculptors working with a variety of materials and subject matter.
Bill Churchill, one of the nation’s pre-eminent sculptors in wood, is represented with several new pieces including “Long Skirt,” showing a beautiful and proud Native American woman and a humorous work called “New Boots” depicting the pride a new owner of cowboy boots might display. Both are exquisitely carved from mahogany. Among the other beautiful examples of his work on display, take note of  “Frontier Icon,” a holstered .45-cal Colt carved from a single piece of cypress.  Bill’s passion is to showcase the beauty of wood while telling the stories of western Americana. He is frequently invited to exhibit at the prestigious Masters of the American West at the Autry Museum.
Errol Gordon has studied at the Scottsdale Artist’s School in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he discovered a passion for sculpting. He has studied with nationally known sculptors such as George Carlson, John Coleman and Mehl Lawson as well as with Italian sculptors Bruno and Paul Lucchesi.
One of Errol’s sculptures, “Moseyin”, won 1st Prize at the 2010 California State Bar Convention Art Exhibit in Monterey, California. Yes, as a practicing lawyer, Errol’s other passion is the law. Come admire his sculptures and find out what “Blueberry Wine” and “Bill Pickett” are all about.
Thomas Tankersley creates one-of-a-kind, built-to-scale sculptures of old western stagecoaches and West coast fishing boats, which are hand-forged from recycled steel salvaged from old 55-gallon drums. Each piece is unique and highly detailed. Although the entire sculpture is made of steel, it is made to resemble leather, wood, cast iron, barnacles, broken glass, etc. as appropriate by the artist. You will never tire of exploring a Tankersley sculpture. They are unique.
Jon DeCelles latest work includes “Cedar and Sage” – a work in marble – and “Spirit Bird.” sculpted from alabaster.  These are tabletop sculptures with DeCelles’ characteristic musically inspired sweeps and curves and inherent spirituality. Jon’s Native American heritage (Grosventre-Assiniboine) often influences his choice of subject matter, such as the bronze “Shield of Knowledge.” As a sculptor, his intention is that his art bring a moment of thoughtful peace and reflection to the viewer.
Cheri Cappello recreates historically accurate Native American garments such as this year’s Shoshone Ceremonial Shirt and Lakota and Chumash Pipe Bags, which were used to carry the traditional “peace pipes” and “flutes” as these people moved about. Cheri’s work is created much as the original Native American’s did from authentic materials and beading techniques with designs that suggest but do not duplicate sacred patterns and colors. Three-dimensional in form factor, these beautiful works of art, meant to be displayed on the wall similar to a painting, will add a unique Western flavor to a home or art collection.
Suzanne Schmaltz creates a whimsical, western art form by beading animal skulls in patterns and colors she imagines reflects memories of their happy lives. Although inspired by the beadwork of Native Americans, she also is careful not to duplicate sacred designs.  On display this year is a beautiful Beaded Buffalo head as well as a colorful Ram’s head, which proves to be very popular at each show.
Dee Adams Prater, a local sculptor, has created a wonderful work called “Three Bachelors“ depicting 3 young Mustang studs feeling their oats and galloping across the landscape.  This original, one-of-a-kind sculpture is constructed with her own ‘lamina process” and mounted on a fossil rock, found nearby in the Tepesquet area, featuring tiny fossilized seashells.
In addition, over 100 original works of more than 36 well known artists are exhibited for sale including paintings, scratch board and graphite art, and sculpture by nationally renowned artists such as William S. Phillips, Tom Browning, and Bill Churchill amongst many others.
For more information, send an email to or call Tom Burgher, president of Seaside Gallery, at 805-773-8057