Gala / Past Galas



  • Auctioneer Alissa Ford fires up the crowd for Logan Maxwell Hagege’s "Wild and Free," which was the 2017 Gala’s co-top gainer at $12,000.

    Auctioneer Alissa Ford fires up the crowd for Logan Maxwell Hagege’s "Wild and Free," which was the 2017 Gala’s co-top gainer at $12,000.

  • Then-board President Carl Jones with his wife, Lin, and daughter, Jolie, at the 2017 Gala. Carl is now chairman of the board.

    Then-board President Carl Jones with his wife, Lin, and daughter, Jolie, at the 2017 Gala. Carl is now chairman of the board.

  • Arturo Chavez, who contributed works to the 2017 and 2019 auctions, enjoys the Jimmy Stadler Band with wife Patricia Duran.

    Arturo Chavez, who contributed works to the 2017 and 2019 auctions, enjoys the Jimmy Stadler Band with wife Patricia Duran.

  • Victoria Addison and Jim Baker of Addison Rowe Gallery discuss the 2017 auction with Alissa Ford, director of Western Art at Heritage Auctions.

    Victoria Addison and Jim Baker of Addison Rowe Gallery discuss the 2017 auction with Alissa Ford, director of Western Art at Heritage Auctions.

  • Patron Hallie Marcotte, with Board Chairman and Vice President Rich Rinehart in background, peruses the 2017 silent auction. Rich is now president of the Foundation.

    Patron Hallie Marcotte, with Board Chairman and Vice President Rich Rinehart in background, peruses the 2017 silent auction. Rich is now president of the Foundation.

  • From left, Greg Nelson, David Cook, and Nat Owings in the silent auction area. Owings Gallery donated works to the 2017 and 2019 Galas.

    From left, Greg Nelson, David Cook, and Nat Owings in the silent auction area. Owings Gallery donated works to the 2017 and 2019 Galas.

  • Rena Rosequist of Mission Gallery, escorted by her son Nicholas Oppenheimer at the 2017 Gala. After her retirement, Rena sold the historic gallery building to the Foundation for repurposing as a research center.

    Rena Rosequist of Mission Gallery, escorted by her son Nicholas Oppenheimer at the 2017 Gala. After her retirement, Rena sold the historic gallery building to the Foundation for repurposing as a research center.

  • Robert and Sherry Parsons cut a proverbial rug. Parsons Fine Parsons Fine Art was a sponsor of the 2017 Gala and 2019 Gala.

    Robert and Sherry Parsons cut a proverbial rug. Parsons Fine Parsons Fine Art was a sponsor of the 2017 Gala and 2019 Gala.

  • Patron Dean Snyder of Denver, left, talks art with Michael Grauer, McCasland Curator of Cowboy Culture at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

    Patron Dean Snyder of Denver, left, talks art with Michael Grauer, McCasland Curator of Cowboy Culture at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

  • Christy Vezolles of Art Value Appraisal and auction item donor Charles King, King Galleries, enjoy the reception.

    Christy Vezolles of Art Value Appraisal and auction item donor Charles King, King Galleries, enjoy the reception.

  • Virginia Couse Leavitt shares a laugh with auction item donor Mark Bahti.

    Virginia Couse Leavitt shares a laugh with auction item donor Mark Bahti.

  • From left, Nedra Matteucci, Marian Ward, auction item donor Tom Harper (background), and John and Carol Carpenter assemble for the 2017 live auction.

    From left, Nedra Matteucci, Marian Ward, auction item donor Tom Harper (background), and John and Carol Carpenter assemble for the 2017 live auction.

  • Foundation patron Tom Azzari shares a laugh with Tim Newton, chairman of the board of the Salmagundi Club.

    Foundation patron Tom Azzari shares a laugh with Tim Newton, chairman of the board of the Salmagundi Club.

  • Some of the Foundation’s magnificent volunteers check in 2017 Gala guests. From left are Charlene Tamayo, Holly Sievers, Ellen Harper, and Sharon Seay.

    Some of the Foundation’s magnificent volunteers check in 2017 Gala guests. From left are Charlene Tamayo, Holly Sievers, Ellen Harper, and Sharon Seay.

  • Couse Foundation Founder Al Olson and his wife, Carol Ann, chat with Thomas Minckler, author of "In Poetic Silence: The Floral Paintings of Joseph Henry Sharp."

    Couse Foundation Founder Al Olson and his wife, Carol Ann, chat with Thomas Minckler, author of "In Poetic Silence: The Floral Paintings of Joseph Henry Sharp."

  • Board Member Tony Skvarla bids on Ben Pease’s multimedia work "The Other Side of Camp."

    Board Member Tony Skvarla bids on Ben Pease’s multimedia work "The Other Side of Camp."

  • Peter Hassrick, director emeritus and senior scholar at The Buffalo Bill Center of the West, engages the audience with a 2017 lecture on "The Studios of J.H. Sharp” at the Harwood Museum of Art, sponsored by the Foundation.

    Peter Hassrick, director emeritus and senior scholar at The Buffalo Bill Center of the West, engages the audience with a 2017 lecture on "The Studios of J.H. Sharp” at the Harwood Museum of Art, sponsored by the Foundation.

  • Taos Mayor Dan Barrone officially opens the renovated studio and permanent exhibition.

    Taos Mayor Dan Barrone officially opens the renovated studio and permanent exhibition.

  • Couse-Sharp Founders Society member Adele Ward, left, enjoys the reception celebrating the 2017 opening of the restored 1915 Sharp Studio with former Board Member Abigail Hornik-Minckler.

    Couse-Sharp Founders Society member Adele Ward, left, enjoys the reception celebrating the 2017 opening of the restored 1915 Sharp Studio with former Board Member Abigail Hornik-Minckler.

  • Davison Koenig, our Executive Director and Curator, introduces some of the craftsmen who restored the Sharp Studio: from left, Larry Apodaca, Ben Martinez, Mike Freebourn, and James Rannefeld.

    Davison Koenig, our Executive Director and Curator, introduces some of the craftsmen who restored the Sharp Studio: from left, Larry Apodaca, Ben Martinez, Mike Freebourn, and James Rannefeld.

  • Taos Pueblo resident Fred Lujan, Jr., displays an old photo at the 2017 Sharp Studio opening as he describes his family’s long association with the Couse family as models and friends.

    Taos Pueblo resident Fred Lujan, Jr., displays an old photo at the 2017 Sharp Studio opening as he describes his family’s long association with the Couse family as models and friends.

  • 2017 Opening attendees enjoy the restored space and the exhibition "J.H. Sharp Studio: The Life and Work of an American Legend."

    2017 Opening attendees enjoy the restored space and the exhibition "J.H. Sharp Studio: The Life and Work of an American Legend."

  • The crowd files in for the first public viewing of the restored studio and exhibition.

    The crowd files in for the first public viewing of the restored studio and exhibition.

  • Texas patron Phil Woodard, University of Oklahoma intern Chelsea Herr, and Taos Pueblo resident Fred Lujan, Jr. discuss the Sharp exhibition.

    Texas patron Phil Woodard, University of Oklahoma intern Chelsea Herr, and Taos Pueblo resident Fred Lujan, Jr. discuss the Sharp exhibition.

  • Live auction during the Fourth Biennial Gala in 2015.

    Live auction during the Fourth Biennial Gala in 2015.

  • Stephen Zick from Christie’s working the room.

    Stephen Zick from Christie’s working the room.

  • Auctioning of Jerry Jordan’s image, "The Taos Magic."

    Auctioning of Jerry Jordan’s image, "The Taos Magic."

  • The Couse Foundation’s hard working Gala volunteers.

    The Couse Foundation’s hard working Gala volunteers.

  • Dr. Dean Porter presenting his lecture at the Harwood Museum of Art before the 2015 Gala.

    Dr. Dean Porter presenting his lecture at the Harwood Museum of Art before the 2015 Gala.

PAST GALA & ART SALE WEEKENDS
 

“We are delighted with the enriching and enjoyable experience we were able to provide to hundreds of art lovers,” said Davison Packard Koenig, executive director and curator.

“We are deeply grateful to the artists and businesses who made our event the talk of the town, to our many dedicated volunteers, and to our generous bidders and donors,” Koenig said.

Thank you to all the gala attendees, participating auction artists, board members, and volunteers that made our previous galas a fantastic success.

Proceeds from all events benefited The Couse Foundation and Couse-Sharp Historic Site.

The Couse-Sharp Historic Site biennial gala and art auction has been held at El Monte Sagrado in Taos since 2009. In addition, we have hosted prestigious lecturers the same weekend as the gala for the entertainment and edification of our guests. Our speakers have been:

2024 - Marie Watkins, PhD

2022 - Michael Grauer 

2019 – Marie Watkins, PhD, presented “So me for the North and snow!”: Joseph Henry Sharp’s Montana

2017 - Peter Hassrick, Director Emeritus and Senior Scholar, Buffalo Bill Center of the West, on "The Studios of J.H. Sharp"

2015 - Dean A. Porter, Ph.D., noted researcher, author and painter, on "Taos Society of Artists: the Why and the When"

2013 - Byron Price, Director, Charles M. Russell Center, University of Oklahoma

2011 - Sally King, Curator of Art for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad

2009 - Stuart Ashman, Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs