Each year in association with the Baker City Bronc & Bull Riding artist Ken Helgerson creates an art piece depicting a segment of our Americana - Rodeo. Helgerson’s 2011 representation is now on display at J. Tabor Jewelers in downtown Baker City – available for the public’s viewing pleasure and for bid in this year’s silent auction.

Helgerson arrived at an inspiration for his 2011 original art from the common rodeo scene of barrelman clown and a bull with an attitude following the parting ways with the aggravation known as a bull rider. In the 2011 piece, the man in the can is veteran rodeo clown Randee Munns, a good friend and contract performer for the Baker City Bronc & Bull Riding. The 4-legged hide full of muscle and bad temper is #625 Eagle Eye…and he has an eye on Mr. Munns, hence the titled artwork, “Barrel of Munn” - his barrel of fun. The bull is one of the fine bucking bulls of Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association stock contractors, Flying Five and Big Bend Rodeo Companies. Helgerson continues to exemplify his attention to the finest of details in coloration, contours of muscularity, and the true energy and vitality of a scene. He has produced this latest artwork in his favorite mediums of pastel and colored pencil. Ken has been a supporter of the Baker City Bronc & Bull Riding since its beginning and has again produced an outstanding representation of rodeo.

Flying Five and Big Bend Rodeo Companies provide the animal athletes that perform for the Baker City Bronc & Bull Riding events each year. The 2011 events begin Friday, July 15, 2011, at 7:00 pm with the Bronc Riding at the Baker County Fairgrounds, and is followed Saturday, July 16 at 6:00 pm with the Bull Riding.

BIDS FOR THE ORIGINAL ARTWORK CAN BE MADE AT J. TABOR JEWELERS, 1913 MAIN STREET, BAKER CITY, OREGON, BY PHONE CALL TO 541-524-1999, OR BY EMAIL. Bidding is now open and will continue to be open to the mid-point break of the Saturday, July 16, 2011, bull riding event.