Upcoming Exhibitions

Art, history, and popular culture provide mirrors in which we can see ourselves in the context of our time. The story of the West connects us all and continues today. The museum’s temporary exhibitions paint a picture of the American West through historic and contemporary art and artifacts.

Aloha Vaqueros

June 12 – September 1, 2025

Go far west and celebrate the pioneering spirit of the Hawaiian vaqueros and the rich Paniolo culture in this captivating exhibition presented by Museo del Vaquero de las Californias (MuVaCa) and the Briscoe Western Art Museum. Highlighting the far-reaching influence of Mexican vaqueros and the deep, abiding traditions they imparted on the American West, the exhibition spotlights how vaqueros imparted their cattle-handling expertise to Hawaiians in the mid-19^th century. The Hawaiians quickly embraced and adapted these techniques to suit their unique environment, creating the Paniolo tradition — a fascinating fusion of cultures and styles built from a shared passion for working the land.

An unforgettable journey into the heart of Paniolo heritage, Aloha Vaqueros honors the legacy of the Paniolo culture and its Mexican roots, exploring the remarkable cultural exchange and adaptation that gave rise to this distinctive Hawaiian cowboy tradition while paying homage to the vaqueros whose influence helped shape cowboy culture. Accompanied by a hands-on educational area featuring the traditional arts and crafts of the Island Vaqueros, the exhibition will help visitors discover and celebrate this enduring testament to cross-cultural collaboration and resilience.

Yana & Marty Davis Map Collection

Going to Texas 2025: Five Centuries of Texas Maps

October 2, 2025 – January 19, 2026

Discover the rich tapestry of Texas history through the “Going to Texas: Five Centuries of Texas Maps” exhibition, showcasing 64 original maps from the Yana and Marty Davis Map Collection from the Museum of the Big Bend, Sul Ross University in Alpine, TX. Spanning 1548 to 2006, the maps trace Texas’ path from “New Spain” to colonial days, statehood and beyond, revealing the changing perspectives of explorers, settlers and cartographers. The maps document the development of Texas, chart transport lines and guide the military, while the earliest maps demonstrate cartography as an art that centuries later evolved into a science. Works from the Briscoe’s collection and other loans highlighting Texas history will be showcased alongside the maps.

The exhibition vividly depicts the discovery, exploration, settlement and development of Texas across key periods including Spanish Texas, Mexican Texas, the Republic of Texas and beyond. Each map serves as a primary document revealing the evolving geographical knowledge and cartographic artistry of its era. Step into history and explore how these maps, originally tools of exploration and strategy, have shaped our understanding of Texas and its cultural intersections with American and European influences. Whether a scholar or a curious visitor, immerse yourself in a compelling narrative of Texas’ vibrant heritage at this exclusive exhibition.