This issue's opinion Cowboy art is one of the better ways to tell the story of the United states since the mid-1800s. But here is another way cowboy art and photography can help America grow stronger. Nancy Gilloon, Nevitt School, Tempe, Az, writes: "Thank you for the permission to use 3 of your photos. I chose a woman rider going around a barrel and two men riders going around barrels. I put them on one page and put it opposite a page of discussion questions to promote conversation in English for students learning English as a second language (ESL). The two people discussing the pictures are trying to use sentences including the right gender for the person in a sentence. Students often say "her" for a boy(which is upsetting to the boys). The students will refer the the woman rider as "she", and the male riders as "he". They are practicing proper grammar and verb usage by creating sentences about what the people in the stands are doing and what the horse is doing and the parts of the horse and using descriptive words in English sentences correctly. Because this is the 2nd Grade Level, the students do a lot of the observation and sentence creation themselves and the assistant directs them to the correct grammar in English. They write the sentences they create and edit them and then rewrite them. I got an A on my assignment! Thank you for the use of your photos. The students like them too." Literacy in the United States is facing an uphill battle, particularly since too many schools are reporting that students are achieving less than minimum proficiency in reading and math. We're happy to see that cowboy art can play a role in helping young students become proficiency in reading, comprehension, and vocabulary skills. Joe Chernicoff, CAPA Exec. Director CAPA Art Show & Sale an Artistic Success Both visitors and exhibiting artists expressed great satisfaction with the quality of the work shown at CAPA's first art show and sale. Art ranged from bronze sculptures to oils, to pebcil drawings to photography, covering the full spectrum of art available in the cowboy art genre. Show visitors came from countries as far away as Australia and Switzerland, as well as from across the United States and Canada, and quite a few showed up more than one day. A screen saver showing the work of the show's artists is available for download. Scenes from the opening day - Mick Harison filling out a sales slip in his booth, while visitors are looking at Karen Smith's prints and bronzes Jennie Porter keeps busy setting up her booth. Both Jennie and Gail Guenther spent time painting new work during the show. Shows for 2003 and 2004 are now in the development stage for Cowboy Artists and Photographers of America. CAPA will be back in Las Vegas during the NFR, with another show of great talent. So keep an eye out for CAPA's announcements of its schedule for the next 13 months - you're sure to find an event you'll want to attend. Have a Great Holiday Season and a Healthy and Prosperous 2003

Another great NFR There were many new faces, and more great athleticism among the cowboys in this year's NFR just added to the enjoyment this event brings every year. As more people begin to nderstand and appreciate the sport of rodeo, we may find a growth in the number of contestants in all the events, which will only add to the greatness of the sport. Congratulations to all the World Champions (editorial comment: It was good to see Sid Steiner win the Steer Wrestling - he's been one of my favorite contenders (along with Mark Gomes, the Ettbauer brothers, and Dan Mortenson) for a few years, and he adds an interesting flavor to the competition.) Photo by John Locher, Las Vegas Review-Journal Bull Fighter Darrel Diefenbach, top, is thrown into the air by Dippin Super Cool during the bull riding event in the NFR on Sunday at the Thomas & Mack Center. Bull rider Jason Legler, right, of Eaton, Colo., didn't score for the ride. Gallery for Sale Georgann Crosby, a business broker in Scottsdale, AZ, has a listing of a "beautiful art gallery in a wonderful small town in Arizona. The pace is slow, the weather is gorgeous and the gallery has a wonderful mix of fine art, sculptures, pottery, and glass. Established in 1988, the gallery features the work of 40 of the Southwest's finest artists in various media. Clients are individuals and corporations both in Arizona and around the country. It has an excellent reputation, profitability and potential for growth, it is also close to upscale resorts and guest ranches. This gallery offers a unique opportunity for an individual artist to display their work or a couple who would enjoy the lifestyle of owning and operating a well established and profitable art gallery in a rural setting." If you are interested in acquiring a gallery, you can contact Georgann by e-mail or call or fax: 480-905-9030 Fax: 480-905-0131 The Changing Face of Cowboy Art Just what is it that fans of collectors of cowboy/western art want? There appears to be a change in what people would like to see in the work of the many excellent artists who are creating works depicting the cowboy and Western life. cowboyartshow.com and Cowboy Artists and Photographers of America would like to hear from you as to what you look for when you decide to buy art - is it action, scenery, wildlife, ranch life, children of the West? Send a note to Cowboy Art & Rodeo newsletter, using this form. Your input will certainly be appreciated, and we'll let you know what we learn about what you want. Team Roping Action from the USTRC Finals in Laughlin NV. November, 2002