The Frontier Times Museum will honor local artist Bill Stevens with a retrospective exhibition showcasing his paintings and bronze sculptures.
Bill Stevens: Rodeo Cowboy to Cowboy Artist opens Friday, Feb. 27, with a reception from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
The museum is calling the event An Evening with Bill Stevens, as the artist will be on hand to share stories from his colorful life.
Known for his gift of storytelling as well as his artistic talents, Stevens will entertain guests with tales of his rodeo days, corporate career, and artistic journey.
Stevens’ path began in San Antonio, though he spent part of his childhood in New York City after his parents’ divorce.
Despite living in the Northeast, he maintained a deep connection to Texas, attending rodeos at Madison Square Garden and learning to rope cattle at his grandfather’s weekend home. He also developed an early love for art, often skipping class to draw at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
While attending Texas A&M University, Stevens competed on the collegiate rodeo team and later earned his professional rodeo card.
Juggling rodeo events with a corporate career, he once boarded a plane in full rodeo gear—spurs and all—immediately after competing at the Cow Palace in San Francisco to make a morning business meeting in New Jersey.
After years of balancing rodeo and business, Stevens relocated to Bandera while working for Hoffman-La Roche Pharmaceuticals.
When faced with another corporate transfer, he chose to stay in Bandera and pursue art fulltime. He launched Stevens Educational Consulting Services to teach children storytelling through drawing and later gained recognition as a Western artist.
His sculptures and paintings have been exhibited at the Alamo Kiwanis Western Show in San Antonio, the Mountain Oysters Show in Tucson, and the Western Heritage Classic Art Show in Abilene. In Bandera, his large-scale murals can be seen on buildings throughout town.
The upcoming exhibit will highlight Stevens’ artistic legacy, while guests will have the opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of his adventures—including friendships with Hollywood icons.
The event is free and open to the public.
The Frontier Times Museum is located at 510 13th St. in Bandera. For more information, call 830-796-3864.
