Western art at Calgary Stampede moves beyond tradition with rising young painters

The Calgary Stampede Art Show is giving space to a new generation of painters this year, selecting six debut artists for the first time alongside 44 veterans.

The selection reflects what organizers call an uptick in submissions from emerging talent. James Zimmer, 20, a Calgary painter, was presented the Rising Artist award. The self-taught artist works in realism and nature, focusing on wildlife and mountain imagery. "I saw a bunch of artists here when I was younger, and now being here is pretty cool," Zimmer said.

Veteran painter Ray Swirsky, now in his eighth year at the show, said his work has grown to explore Métis heritage. He pairs historic photographs—mostly archival images of Blackfoot people from the mid to late 19th century—with period maps from government treaty negotiations. One oil on canvas, Lake Minnewanka, combines a 1918 image of an old car and bear cubs with a 1924 map of Rocky Mountains Park before it became Banff National Park.

"You get a snapshot of time: that's the place and that's what the roads and maps were like," Swirsky said. "This is an expression of our history."

For many artists, the Stampede represents the single biggest sales event of the year. Swirsky sold nearly $40,000 worth of art in his first booth 18 months after beginning to paint. Artists typically spend 10 to 12 hours a day at the Western Oasis during the 10-day show, said Ingrid Schulz, chair of the Stampede Art Show subcommittee.

The art show, which has run for more than 40 years, opens during Stampede week.