Cowboys, Cooking to Accompany Art for Booth's Gathering

It’s hard to believe the Booth Museum in downtown Cartersville has been open for eight years. This Smithsonian-affiliated art museum invites guests to explore the American west through myriad forms of artwork. Beyond the west, the museum also houses a presidential gallery, a Civil War art gallery and an interactive children’s gallery. 

And, since it’s opening, the Booth Museum has been home to the annual Southeastern Cowboy Gathering, an event to help people get a better idea about the real life of the cowboy. Starting Thursday, March 10, and running through Sunday, March 13, the eighth-annual Southeastern Cowboy Gathering once again returns to the Booth. 

Some of the events associated with the Gathering include a concert by featured entertainer Asleep at the Wheel at the Grand Theatre; chuck wagon and Dutch oven cooking contests; mandolin, fiddle, guitar and banjo playing contests; the finals of the Georgia Youth Cowboy Poetry Contest; many children’s activities; and, an evening lecture by featured artist Ed Mell.

“The annual Cowboy Gathering is a way for people to better understand the music, poetry and life of the American Cowboy,” said director of Marketing, Tara Currier.  “Through the chuck wagon cooking competition, musical performances and youth cowboy poetry contest finals, visitors hopefully will walk away with a better understanding and appreciation of the life of the cowboy.”

The gathering begins with an opening reception on Thursday, March 10, at 5 p.m. for an exhibit of Ed Mell’s work in the Temporary Exhibition Gallery. Mell will present a lecture in the Booth Theatre on his artistic style and career highlights at 7 p.m. and will then be available to sign copies of the official Cowboy Gathering poster in the Museum Store immediately afterwards. 

Born and raised there, Ed Mell has a passion for the flora and fauna that make up the beautiful landscapes of the west. He is best known for dramatically geometric views of western vistas, often combined with powerful weather events. His work also includes landscapes and figurative subjects that incorporate elements of abstraction and cubism, all of which will be featured in the temporary exhibit.

On Friday, March 11, guests will be invited to walk with Ed Mell at either 11 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. to listen as he discusses his work in the temporary exhibit. Also on Friday, there will be a lecture on and movie clips from Tombstone in the Booth Theatre at 11:00 a.m. followed by a showing of My Darling Clementine at 1:30 p.m. 

Throughout the day Saturday, March 12, there will be events for the entire family, including the Southeastern Chuck Wagon Cook-Off where teams of cooks will prepare beans, meat, potatoes, bread and desserts just as they did during cattle drives in the 1800s. Those interested in sampling some of the food can purchase tickets in advance for $12.

Other activities Saturday include contests for best fiddle, mandolin, guitar and banjo playing and an adult cowboy poetry workshop. And, throughout the museum, there will be a lot of activities targeted specifically for children. 

When asked about the educational component of the Gathering, Lisa Wheeler, director of Education, said, “The Cowboy Gathering is a great educational opportunity for children. We’re offering a special afternoon for home-school students on Thursday where they can tour the galleries, learn about photographer Ansel Adams, and make art projects to take home.” 

Wheeler went on to say, “The chuck wagon cooking demonstrations on Saturday provide families an opportunity to sample traditional chuck wagon cooking and it is always exciting to watch the young poets recite their original cowboy poetry in the Youth Poetry contest on Sunday afternoon.”

Saturday evening will conclude with a concert at the Grand Theatre with famed western swing band, Asleep at the Wheel. The group celebrated its 40th anniversary last year and has released more than 25 albums and received eight Grammy Awards. 

Tickets for the 7 p.m. performance are $25 for general admission and $20 for Booth Museum members. Following the concert, members of Asleep at the Wheel will be available to sign CDs and meet fans in the Encore Room, just off the lobby of the Grand Theatre. 

The weekend wraps up Sunday, March 13, with Cowboy Church in the Booth Ballroom at 11 a.m. – a non-denominational church service featuring cowboy prayers and western spiritual music.

At noon, the Dutch oven cooking contest will take place on the museum’s grounds.  Top cooks will compete in categories for bread, main dish and dessert, with samples being made available to the public. During this time, the Georgia Youth Cowboy Poetry contest finals will be held in the Booth Theatre. The top 10 finalists in four age divisions will compete for cash prizes.

To purchase tickets for any of the weekend’s events, simply call the useum at 770-387-1300 or visit the front desk.  For more information on the eighth-annual Southeastern Cowboy Gathering, visit www.boothmuseum.org and click on Events or call 770-387-1300.

Editor's note — Booth Western Art Museum officials announced Friday the Asleep at the Wheel concert is sold out.