(PHOENIX, AZ) – The family of the late Eddie Basha announces the launch of a new website, EddieBashaCollection.com, which was created to further Eddie’s own sentiment “art is meant to be shared”. It provides visitors worldwide a unique glimpse into this vast repository of Contemporary Western American & American Indian art, the artists who created them, the man who collected over 3,500 pieces and the Zelma Basha Salmeri Gallery where the majority of the collection resides. Coincidently, its debut occurs during the same week as the opening of Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West exhibition entitled “A Salute to Cowboy Artists of America and a Patron, the Late Eddie Basha: 50 Years of Amazing Contributions to the American West”.
“We are proud and grateful that the museum and The Cowboy Artists of America wanted to pay tribute to Eddie” said Nadine, wife of the late Eddie Basha. “It’s a testament to the bonds of a mutual passion for historical and contemporary fine art portrayals of the American West and to the bonds of friendship, love and laughter among these artists, museums and galleries, fellow collectors, and Eddie.”
During his lifetime, the CAA’s selected Eddie as an Honorary Member of this prestigious organization. Over thirty pieces from the collection, some seldom seen, have been loaned.
While Eddie was a consummate collector of art, it was the friendships he made in the art community that he treasured more than the art itself. Countless hours were spent with the artists visiting their studios, sharing discussions about life and history, reminiscing, and of course, much laughter.
Publicly, he was more often known as an ardent education advocate, a successful businessman, a philanthropist, a one-time gubernatorial candidate. However, this collection may even be a larger part of his legacy.
“Visitors to the gallery embrace not only the extraordinary talent, depth and quality of the collection, but the passion for which it was put together. That its founder was a quintessential art collector, one who supported struggling artists and successful ones, one who couldn’t have been prouder of the artists’ accomplishments, and one who fully enjoyed and engaged with the artists in their processes,” said Nadine.
To learn more about the collector, the artists and the gallery, and to watch exclusive video interviews, go to EddieBashaCollection.com. The collection can be seen at the Zelma Basha Salmeri Gallery.
Zelma Basha Salmeri Gallery of Western American and American Indian Art
The Eddie Basha Collection can be viewed at the Zelma Basha Salmeri Gallery of Western American and American Indian Art located at 22402 S. Basha Road, Chandler, Arizona 85248. The gallery is typically open Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. It’s recommended that visitors call the information line at 480-895-5230 (press option 2) to make sure the gallery is open prior to visiting. Admission is free.
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
The exhibition, entitled A Salute to Cowboy Artists of America and a Patron, the Late Eddie Basha: 50 Years of Amazing Contributions to the American West, will be on display at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West from Nov. 7- May 31. It will also commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Cowboy Artists of America and will feature one piece from each of the 77 artists.
Where
3830 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-686-9539; scottsdalemuseumwest.org
Admission Prices
Adults: $13
Seniors (65+) and Active Military: $11
Students (Full-time with ID) and Children (6-17 years): $8
Members and Children 5 and under: FREE
For special group rates, please contact Visitor Services: 480-686-9539
Museum Hours
Tues., Wed., Fri., Sat.: 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday: 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed Monday