UW and CSU Art Museums Get into Border War Rivalry

The Cowboys and Rams are not the only ones battling it out in the annual Border War rivalry.

The University of Wyoming Art Museum and the Colorado State University Gregory Allicar Museum of Art (GAMA) will join this year's Border War by placing a friendly bet in the form of an art loan. The UW Art Museum and GAMA have each wagered an important piece of work from their respective collections. The winning museum will keep the other museum's artwork for display until the end of the academic year next May.

The classic Mountain West Conference rivalry, known as the "Border War," usually pits the two rival's athletic teams against each other in a tradition that goes back to the 19h century. This year, CSU will host the 116th football game in this long rivalry at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, in Canvas Stadium, with the winner keeping the Bronze Boot until the next showdown.

In homage to the Bronze Boot, both museums have chosen a work from their rival's collection for the wager. If CSU wins, GAMA will keep Beth Van Hoesen's "Pale Horse" from UW. If the Pokes win, UW's Art Museum will display Roxanne Swentzell's sculpture "Mask Maker."

The friendly bet is inspired by other wagers between art institutions, such as Denver Art Museum and Seattle Art Museum's Super Bowl rivalry in 2014.

"While this is a great opportunity to share artwork between our two institutions, our audiences will miss seeing a signature piece at the losing museum, so let's go, Pokes," says Nicole Crawford, UW Art Museum director.

GAMA Director Lynn Boland adds, "It's already been a win for us by getting to know each other and each other's fabulous collections better. There really isn't a loser here, but still, go Rams."

UW Art Museum and GAMA's staff will visit both museums Monday, Nov. 18, when the final loan is scheduled for delivery.

For more information, email Fred Hirschman, UW Art Museum communications coordinator, at [email protected].