Joining the Heart & Spirit of Western Heritage

Article in the April 2017 edition of ETown Magazine

Oklahoma artist Harold T. Holden is making history as he prepares to be inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners at the National Cowboy Museum—becoming the first Oklahoma artist to receive this honor since the award’s inception in 1955. Recognized for his dedication to Western life, his reverence for the land, and his ability to inspire others, Holden joins a storied legacy of artists, ranchers, and visionaries.

Despite the recognition, Holden remains grounded and focused on his art. From participating in annual shows to mentoring young artists through the Pioneer Cellular Smokin’ Red Dirt Youth Art Show, he continues to create, judge, and inspire the next generation. With support from his wife Edna Mae and a lifetime spent immersed in cowboy life, Holden’s work captures not just the scenes of the West, but its spirit—connecting the past, present, and future of Western art.

This milestone is a celebration not just of Holden’s talent, but of the cowboy culture and Western traditions that have shaped him—and the art world he continues to influence.