Tarp Keeps on Rolling

From left, artist Paul Van Ginkel, chuckwagon driver Gary Gorst and Painted Pony Energy President & CEO Pat Ward at the barns in Calgary

The striking tarp on Gary Gorst’s chuckwagon at the 2017 Calgary Stampede was the talk of the range. Co-sponsored by Chairman David Cornhill and CEO David Harris of AltaGas and Pat Ward of Painted Pony Energy, the tarp was created by Calgary artist Paul Van Ginkel from his original oil, Painted Pony Power.

“It was a 50-50 partnership between the energy companies on both sponsoring Gary and the donations to charity,” explains Pat Ward, a major collector of Van Ginkel’s original art.

The benefits of the beautiful tarp just keep on rolling. Early in September, the two energy companies hosted their planned charity, auctioning off the original 48″x72″ oil on canvas and donating over $29,000 to Foothills Therapeutic Riding, Will For Riding Foundation and Ronald McDonald House.

Since 1912 when iconic artist Charlie Russell sold his original art from the shade of the old grandstand, the Calgary Stampede and Western artists have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship.

With the success and widespread attention the beautiful tarp generated, perhaps AltaGas and Painted Pony Energy have spearheaded a trend that will benefit all — drivers, artists, charities and fans of Western art.

One thought on “Tarp Keeps on Rolling

  1. I have Van Ginkels CS poster, framed and hung in my front parlour….how exciting to see that his art is now ON THE MOVE….and what a great idea to create rolling art for the canvas of the chucks…..looking forward to seeing more of that in the future…

Comments are closed.