When the Santa Fe Railway followed the path of least resistance across the "great American desert" they encountered a world like no other.
William Haskell Simpson, the General Advertising Agent for the railway from 1900 to 1933 became an Iron Horse in art, advertising and public relations. He invited teams of artists and writers West, as guests of the Santa Fe and the Fred Harvey Company, to paint and write - to introduce America to their "Santa Fe Southwest."
Throughout his career Simpson purchased over 600 works, primarily from the Taos and Santa Fe schools of art. These works were used for the company's famous Santa Fe Calendars, on menus, in depots and in the production of books and brochures about the line and her destinations. These works created one of the nation's first corporate art collections.
After his death in 1933, the Santa Fe New Mexican wrote, "It would be quite impossible to estimate how much New Mexico owes him for its progress during that period."
As a tribute to visionaries like Simpson, the Iron Horses of Western Art Exhibition was developed. Many of the Iron Horse artists have direct connections to the Santa Fe Railway or the Fred Harvey Company.
Kenneth M. Freeman, whose work has been featured with the "Sagebrush Rembrandt" William Leigh, was commissioned by the Santa Fe to provide two illustrations featuring their California destinations.
Maria Sharylen's life was transformed as a young girl when she rode west on the Santa Fe with her family to start a new life in California.
R.J. Pfammatter's father was invited to America from Holland by the Fred Harvey Company to create a new restaurant concept in Chicago.
Greg English's paintings feature highly-prized pottery from the tribes along the ribbon of railway throughout the Southwest.
And, Scott Gilsinger, inspired by Santa Fe's Grand Canyon artists like Moran and Bierstadt, continues to let the Canyon speak to a new generation.
The exhibition was held on Sunday, November 7, 2004 at the Texas Stampede's La Riata Gala Event in Dallas, Texas.
For a catalog from the Exhibition, call Sonja at (877) 297-5659 or e-mail your address to SonjaHowle@WizardofAds.com
