MoWA Pays Tribute to Bandera, Texas Artists

The Museum of Western Art will open its new exhibit, Shermalee & Lou, The Mack Cowboys, with an evening reception on Saturday, January 25, 2025. The exhibit honors the work of Bandera husband- and-wife sculptors Shermalee and Lou Mack, featuring 19 bronze sculptures focused on Western life.

John Mack, one of Shermalee and Lou’s eight children, enjoys sharing the remarkable story of his parents’ lives. Lou Mack grew up on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation in South Dakota. Life was harsh, but Lou and his 10 siblings were raised in a loving, stable home. After his mother died when he was nine, Lou found himself shuttled between an Indian Boarding School and working the agency “beef camp” to manage cattle. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and qualified for flight school in Colorado Springs.

In contrast, Mary Shermalee Willard, raised as an only child in a prominent household, enjoyed a comfortable upbringing. Shermalee’s father, a pioneer aviator and rancher, moved the family frequently between ranches in Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, and Arizona. In 1945, the Willards purchased a ranch near Trinidad, Colorado, the same time Lou was in flight school. A meeting arranged by Lou’s sister on the Trinidad Ranch began a love affair that lasted over 80 years.

Shermalee and Lou raised eight children while Lou worked in law enforcement and home building in Texas. Upon retiring from the Immigration and Naturalization Agency in 1978, the couple opened Skyline Ranch RV Park in Bandera. By this time, their artistic pursuits had gained recognition.

Once their children were in school, Shermalee began crafting paper mache works of art. Confident in her abilities, she transitioned to bronze sculpting, and Lou joined her. The couple traveled the country, exhibiting their works and capturing inspiration for future pieces. Their passion for Western life, cowboys, longhorns, and Native American tribes defined their artistic careers, which spanned from 1975 to 1995.

The Exhibition: Darrell Beauchamp, Executive Director of the Museum of Western Art, expressed excitement about showcasing the Mack’s works. “The Macks were not only great talents but also great people. Their passion for our Western heritage is vividly depicted in each of their works,” Beauchamp said.

John Mack highlights three must-see sculptures from the exhibit: Sioux Shawl Dancer: A piece depicting traditional dancing on Sioux Nation reservations, showcasing exquisite motion in its circular design.

Tagalong: A portrayal of three siblings from the Southern Plains Indian tribe riding a donkey.

Moccasin Maker: A touching depiction of three generations of Northern Plains Indians – grandmother, mother, and daughter – capturing a strong human connection.

Before arriving at the Museum of Western Art, the Mack exhibit was featured at the Frontier Times Museum in Bandera from July 26, 2024, to January 15, 2025. Rebecca Norton, Executive Director of the Frontier Times Museum, praised the collection and shared the excitement about its continued display. “We were fortunate that Julian Tallichet donated two Mack bronzes in honor of his late wife, Jan. The Mack’s children graciously helped make this retrospective possible, and we’re thrilled to share it with a broader audience,” Norton said.

Shermalee Mack passed away in 2017, and Lou followed in 2024. John Mack describes his parents as “humble people who were deeply passionate about life and their Western heritage.” He hopes that visitors will appreciate their work and the era it represents.

Shermalee & Lou, The Mack Cowboys will be on display at the Museum of Western Art from January 25 to March 15, 2025, in the Thelma Kieckhefer Gallery. John and Gail Mack, along with other family members, will greet visitors at the opening reception on Saturday, January 25, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Admission is free with RSVP at museumofwesternart. com under “events.”

The Museum of Western Art is located at 1550 Bandera Highway, Kerrville.