Local artist receives Rounders Award

Roosevelt County native Stewart Williamson on Wednesday received the Rounders Award for “vivid artistic creations that tell the story of the Western Way of life,” according to a news release from the New Mexico Department of Agriculture.

Edna Harper of Catron County also received the award, presented by Ag Secretary Jeff Witte at the Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces.

The award is named after “The Rounders,” a classic Western novel written by Max Evans. The purpose of the award is to honor those who live, promote and articulate the Western way of life, the news release stated.

Williamson, who grew up near Pep, is an award-winning spur maker. In 2010, the Academy of Western Arts named him “Engraver of the Year.” In 2013, he was named “Spur Maker of the Year” by the National Bit, Spur, and Saddle Collectors Association.

Williamson also creates hand-engraved rings and other pieces of wearable art. He lives in Taos.

Past winners of the Rounders Award include country and western performer Michael Martin Murphey and cowboy poet Baxter Black.