From Ingrid Schulz, Founder of the Pure West Art Auction
This year’s Buffalo Bones fundraiser brought together Western art, culture, food, music, and philanthropy for an unforgettable afternoon in Calgary. Presented in partnership with the Pure West Art Auction, #NotInMyCity, and Deane House, this year’s sold-out event marks a new chapter as Buffalo Bones supports the Alberta Centre to End Trafficking in Persons.
Founded by Ingrid Schulz in 2018, the Pure West Art Auction has grown into Canada’s premier Western art events, showcasing sought-after artists from across Canada and the United States. This year, attendees had the opportunity to acquire exceptional artwork but also to help support the fight against human trafficking.
Read on to hear from Ingrid Schulz about the evolution of the Pure West Art Auction, the inspiration behind Buffalo Bones, and why raising awareness and coming together as a community to address human trafficking matters.
Building a Home for Western Art
When I launched the Pure West Art Auction in 2018, I saw a gap in the market. Calgary has deep Western roots, but there wasn’t a dedicated platform showcasing the incredible artists working in this space.
At the time, I was running a Western festival in the city called “Way Out West Fest,” and decided to make a premier Western art event one of its anchor events. The first auction was held at Deane House and featured just 37 pieces.
Fast forward to today, and we receive more than 350 submissions from artists across Canada and the United States, which are carefully curated down to fewer than 100 pieces for the final auction. Over the years, Pure West has become a sought-after event in the Western art market, selling out each of the past two years and attracting both seasoned collectors and newcomers alike.
Hosting More Than an Auction
From the beginning, I wanted Pure West to be an experience. The beautiful gardens at Deane House provided the perfect setting, and the event naturally evolved into a celebration of Western culture. The art auction is at the heart of it, but so are the people, the stories, the music, and the sense of community that surrounds it.
One of my goals has always been to make Western art more accessible. While there are certainly investment pieces available every year, many works are priced to encourage new collectors to enter the market and discover artists they may not otherwise encounter. Over the years, we’ve also seen the event help bridge the gap between urban Calgary and Western culture. What was once attended largely by ranchers and those already immersed in the Western community now attracts a diverse audience from across the city.
Supporting a Cause That Matters
After last year’s auction, I started thinking about legacy. Years earlier, I had the opportunity to work alongside Paul Brandt on initiatives supporting #NotInMyCity. I was deeply impressed by the organization’s commitment to raising awareness and creating meaningful change in the fight against human trafficking.
As Buffalo Bones began to take shape, it felt like the perfect opportunity to give the event a greater purpose and legacy. I approached Sal Howell, owner of the Deane House, and discussed the idea with her. We then met with #NotInMyCity about being partners in the event, and I was thrilled when they agreed. We are proud to support both #NotInMyCity and the Alberta Centre to End Trafficking in Persons with our auction this year.
Several artists have generously donated pieces, with proceeds supporting these organizations. Among them are works by renowned painter Paul Van Ginkel, and pieces by contemporary and established artists from across Canada and the United States, including several Indigenous artists whose work brings important perspectives to the collection.
Inspiring Community Impact Through Art
The response from the community has been incredible. This year’s event was sold out, and the enthusiasm we’ve seen from artists, collectors, and supporters continues to grow.
I hope that Buffalo Bones demonstrates how art can bring people together while supporting causes that matter. Every conversation, every bid, and every piece of artwork helps create awareness about human trafficking and build stronger, safer communities.
By supporting organizations like #NotInMyCity and the Alberta Centre, we can use art and community to create meaningful change. That is the kind of legacy I hope this event continues to build.
To learn more about how you can support #NotInMyCity and to check out upcoming events, visit notinmycity.ca.
