History

The Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale began as the joint inspiration of the Coors Brewing Company and the National Western Stock Show. Since 1993, Coors and the National Western have worked together to develop what is now considered one of the finest western art exhibits in the United States. We give special thanks to Swede Johnson for his inspiration and enthusiastic encouragement of the show. Swede believed that an art exhibit was a wonderful way to celebrate our western heritage and define the American West.

Mary Belle Grant was also one of the creators and early visionaries of the Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale. She served on the advisory committee from its inception to 1999, and every year had been a patron and passionate friend of the arts in the Denver community. In her memory, the Mary Belle Grant Award was created in 2000 to honor a person who embodies the spirit of the western way of life and symbolizes the passion of the West through art. Past honorees include William Matthews (2000), Barbara Van Cleve (2001), Bill Anton (2002), George Carlson (2003), Clyde Aspevig (2004), Susan Raymond (2005), Lewis W. "Pete" Douglas (2006), T.D. Kelsey (2007), and Janie Hutchison (2008), Tom Petrie (2009), and Nancy Petry (2010). See Awards for a list of honorees.