Kathryn Leitner Named Signature Artist for America’s Horse in Art Show
AQHA Publicity
Every year, one artist is given the honor of serving as the America’s Horse in Art Show & Sale signature artist. Kathryn Leitner of Kingfisher, Oklahoma, is the signature artist for the 13th annual America’s Horse in Art, opening for online preview on August 2
and in-person viewing on August 14.
“It is a pleasure to showcase Kathryn’s work as the 2021 America’s Horse in Art signature artist,” said Interim Chief Foundation Officer Chris Sitz. “Kathryn uniquely captures the strength and beauty of the working American Quarter Horse and western lifestyle.”
Leitner and her signature piece, “Jingling the Wagon horses,” will be featured during the 2021 American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame Induction and Reunion Celebration August 13-14 at the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum.
Leitner’s artwork focuses on the lifestyle of ranching families and their livestock, especially their equine partners. Her childhood on her grandparents’ ranch in Montana ignited a passion for the lifestyle that she strives to share through her artwork.
She spends time with and photographs ranch families in their day-to-day lives. She also rides and competes on her American Quarter Horse mare in ranch riding and boxing. The time she spends on and the passion she has for her subjects are evident in the detail and authenticity of her work. She works in graphite, colored pencil and oil. Her education has consisted of local classes with talented teachers, a few workshops and self-exposure to good art and books. Leitner has been published in the Oklahoma Cowman magazine and has participated in western art shows in Texas and Oklahoma.
An online preview of the art featured in the show will open August 2 at www.aqha.com/museum. Viewing the America’s Horse in Art event is free and open to the public. The auction sale, scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, August 14, will be a fun, fast paced event with refreshments and lunch provided by the Coors Cowboy Club. In-person and online bids will be accepted through Professional Auction Services.
All remaining artwork after the America’s Horse in Art online auction closes will be available to purchase through October 16. All purchased artwork will remain on display at the Museum through the end of the exhibit.
The show will also honor one artist with the Steel Dust Award, generously sponsored by Art of the West magazine. The award was introduced to recognize one artist each year for their work. Selected by a panel of judges, the award is based on the artistic merit of the entire body of work submitted to the show. The winner receives a half-page advertisement in Art of the West valued at $1,780 and a commemorative plaque.
For those wishing to join us for the Hall of Fame Induction & Reunion Celebration, tickets are on sale now!
For more information on the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum, visit www.aqha.com/museum.
AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHA on Twitter and visit www.aqha.com/news.
