Because of snow and ice, the reception has been postponed to next Friday, Feb 23, but still from 4-6:00
The Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center is hosting a reception today from 4:00-6:00 celebrating The West as They Saw It, an exhibit of prints by artists and illustrators of the Old West on display through May 13.
The owner of the collection, Jerry Underwood of Alliance, will be on hand for the reception – whose title of “Meet, Greet, and Eat Treats” tells you everything you need to know about it.
The West as They Saw It is the first time Underwood has ever displayed his collection to the public. He’s a member of the Mari Sandoz Society and says he’s talked with Sandoz Center Program Coordinator Laure Sinn about an exhibit for years.
Sinn is excited it all finally came together, partly because she’s personally excited about Underwood’s collection and partly because all the prints are from between 1840 and 1910.
Sinn says the collection is a nice mix of widely seen and seldom seen prints and illustrations
Underwood, who grew up ranching and feeding cattle near Alliance, says the collection evolved from a simple desire for art in his home. After several years of buying prints any time one caught his eye, he was stunned to realize how large the collection had grown.
He eventually built his home to accommodate the prints, then began to focus more on it after selling his feedlot in 2016. He framed many of them, decided he wanted to do something with them, and started his discussions with Sinn.
Underwood says he’s passionate about Western history and the stories depicted in his pieces, and believes the Sandoz Center is a valuable asset to the community.
He calls it “a gem” and thinks more people need to know about it,” so he’s excited to share his collection there and hopes visitors will enjoy the pieces as much as he does.”