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Empowering Features, Nurturing Dreams
Meet the passionate and dedicated team behind the Coors Western Art Gallery. Together, we are committed to showcasing exceptional works that evoke the rich heritage and artistry of the American West.
Kate Hlavin’s journey into Western Art began after graduating from Hobart & William Smith Colleges in 2010. She has held key positions throughout her career, including a notable five-year tenure as the Director of Western & American Art at Altamira Fine Art, with locations in Jackson, WY, and Scottsdale, AZ. Her passion for Western Art continued to thrive when she later assumed the role of Gallery Director at Visions West Contemporary in Denver.
In 2017, Ms. Hlavin joined the Denver office of Hindman Auctions as the Director of Business Development for the Western Region. Her remarkable dedication and expertise led to her promotion to the position of Department Director of Western Art in 2020. Under her leadership, Denver’s bi-annual Western Art auctions achieved multiple sales records, a testament to her ability to connect art enthusiasts with outstanding works.
Moreover, Kate Hlavin had the privilege of working alongside Terry Winchell, founder of Fighting Bear Antiques in Jackson, WY, and the foremost authority on the works of Thomas Molesworth. This experience deepened her knowledge of Molesworth furniture and historic Western art, enhancing her ability to curate collections that resonate with Western Art enthusiasts.
Kate brings a wealth of expertise and experience in the realm of Western Art to her new role. “With over a decade of professional involvement in fine art galleries, auction houses, and as an independent art consultant, Kate is well-qualified to curate the iconic and influential Coors Art Exhibit & Sale,” said Lewis Wilks, Chairman of the Coors Western Art Show and Sale Committee.
Raised in Southwest Colorado, Maddie Sturm brings a deep, lifelong connection to the American West, an MFA in printmaking, and an active background in arts non-profits to her role as a Western art coordinator. Her professional approach is uniquely informed by her firsthand experience as a lithographer and artist, giving her a technical appreciation for the artistic process, historical layering, and the physical labor behind fine art.
Maddie’s career is driven by a strong passion for community-led arts advocacy, having contributed to non-profit arts organizations across both Alberta, Canada, and the Colorado Front Range. This regional involvement, paired with the technical and conceptual training of her Master of Fine Arts, where she focused on stone lithography and sustainable printmaking research, allows her to collaborate deeply with creators, manage complex gallery narratives, and bridge the gap between contemporary Western storytelling and operational logistics. Now focusing her expertise on arts coordination, she leverages her academic background, non-profit experience, and deep affinity for the landscape to support, organize, and elevate the vibrant community of artists defining the modern West.
Allison Cirenza, Chair
Haley Mirr, Vice Chair
Jack Ammons, Lauren Anuzewski, Lachlan Connors, Tate Fox, Devon Gleason,
Molly Grasso, Emma Kane, Brian Kormondy, Elizabeth Lewis, Mimi Liedtke, Colin Meagher, Manny Meraz,
Hayden Porter, Andrew Pritzlaff, Max Silverman, Chris Smith, Alana Wilson, Richard Yates
The Young Guns of the Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale was established in 2013 by CEO, Paul Andrews, and committee member, Cathy Dea Carpenter, to spotlight emerging and mid-career artists who push the boundaries of traditional Western art. Introduced as a way to engage younger audiences and cultivate the next generation of collectors, the Young Guns initiative offers a fresh, dynamic perspective on the themes of the American West. Over the years, it has evolved from a small segment of the larger Coors Show into a prominent platform that bridges contemporary and Western aesthetics, blending new artistic voices with established traditions.
Today, its mission centers on fostering relationships between up-and-coming artists and aspiring collectors, encouraging investment in art at an accessible level while promoting diversity in artistic expression. Through special events like the annual Young Guns Art Show & Reception and experiences such as artist talks and interactive exhibitions, the program not only supports the careers of talented artists but also nurtures a vibrant community around the future of Western art. Proceeds from the show continue to benefit the National Western Scholarship Trust, aligning with the broader goal of empowering artists and students alike.
We thank our proud Sponsors & Partners in support for the National Western Scholarship Trust
Legacy Presenting Partner
Obermeyer Wealth Partners
Platinum Patron
The Wold Foundation
Music Sponsor
Sterling Ranch
Gold Patrons
Bernstein Private Wealth Management
Molly and David Coors
Copley Equity Partners
Dea Family Foundation
Revelstoke
Silver Patrons
Bow River Capital
Jordan and Parker Heikes
Northern Trust
Harvey Clearly
Mirr Ranch Group
ANB Bank
Bronze Patrons
Bluestem Landworks
Camber Realty
Molly and Ben Grasso
Kari and Chad Nichols
Blythe and Max Silverman
Suburban Toppers
U.S. Bank
Leah and Bates Parsons
Flood & Peterson
Friends of the West
Lauren and Tom Harrington
Ana and Richard Yates
Marczyk Fine Foods
Designs By Sundown
Daniels Fund
Devon Gleason
Emma and Eddie Kane
Sarah and Michael Mohapp
Coleen Sanders, Luxury Real Estate Advisor – Compass
Over one hundred volunteers staff the Coors Art Gallery during the Stock Show and special events such as the Red Carpet Reception. Volunteers come from across the front range, drawn by their love for the art show as well as their dedication to raising funds for the National Western Scholarship Trust, to which the Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale is the largest contributor.
Volunteers are needed throughout the year to help support Coors Western Art; however, the majority of volunteering is done during the National Western Stock Show which runs for sixteen days every January. Volunteers learn about the nationally recognized artists represented in the exhibit, have the opportunity to meet many of them, and interact with the wonderful patrons who visit the Coors Art Gallery during the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo.
We are continuously welcoming new volunteers to the Coors Art Gallery, especially volunteers with art, customer relations, and sales experience, and we are especially looking for those with strong computer skills to operate our point of sale system in the gallery.
You will join the team of almost 1000 volunteers who dedicate themselves to the National Western Stock Show, and you are not limited to working in the art gallery! If you are interested in learning more about the National Western Volunteer program, view the video and get more information HERE.
To sign up, complete and submit the volunteer application found HERE.
We look forward to meeting you!
