An art show in an Irish pub during the week of St. Patrick’s Day seems like an inspired idea, but artist Kira Fercho swears it didn’t happen that way.
“It was kind of a whimsical thing,” she said. “Wayne had bought paintings from me in the past, so I just called him up and said ‘can I have a show in your bar?’”
The exhibit downstairs at the Celtic Cowboy is in its second year and features work from Fercho and six of her friends, including everything from paintings to beaded jewelry to interior design. All the artists are on hand during the show.
Fercho, who is 36, says a lot of older people enjoy the freshness of her work. As a woman in the Western art world, she’s not exactly a novelty, but Fercho believes women have come a long way since the early years of Western Art Week.
This year, Fercho’s piece, “Rider” is set to fetch the highest price in the Friday First Strike auction: between $11,995 and $14,995. She’s in good company, too, as the highest bid for a living artist during the Russell is expected for Jenness Cortez’s “Requiem,” which is expected to sell for between $85,000 and $125,000.
Between her show and her new baby, Fercho is so busy that she didn’t even know her painting was at the top of any lists. Instead, she’s simply happy with how moving to the Celtic Cowboy has improved her Western Art Week experience.
“Honestly, it’s fun,” she said, “I’ve never had such a fun show.”
Fercho's exhibit will be at the Celtic Cowboy Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Reach Tribune Staff Writer Traci Rosenbaum at 791-1490. Follow her on Twitter @GFTrib_TRosenba.