THE SITE: The Olaf Weighorst Museum and Western Heritage Center in El Cajon
THE PLACE: The Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center in El Cajon has something special to offer for lovers of the Old West.
The museum occupies a small space off Magnolia Avenue and showcases some of the finest sketches and paintings of Olaf Wieghorst, who is known to many as the dean of Western art. Wieghorst's work focuses on cowboys, horses, American Indian life and the vast natural landscapes of the western United States.
Born in Denmark in 1899, Wieghorst was a horse lover from a young age. He immigrated to the United States at the age of 19, hoping to see the Wild West he had heard so much about. He joined the U.S. Cavalry and ended up in the Southwest, where he found the inspiration to start recording the things he saw.
“He was a self-taught artist,” said Richard Lay, a member of the museum's board of directors. “He always had an artistic bent, and he eventually got better and better.”
The museum opened in 1998, and its walls are covered with scenes of cowboys on horseback exploring the enormous untouched landscapes of the West. Visitors will also find a collection of vintage saddles, sculptures of cowboys and examples of Wieghorst's commercial work. His art has been displayed nationwide, in galleries from New York to San Francisco.
Wieghorst is known for more than just his art. He lived on a ranch on the outskirts of El Cajon for more than 40 years, where he did much of his work at his home studio. His house was moved in 1998 and now sits next to the museum. It is still being renovated and will eventually be open to the public as part of the museum.
In addition to housing 25 of Wieghorst's original oil paintings and 25 of his original etchings, the museum hosts various other exhibits throughout the year. Currently on display is a show of local art sponsored by the Friends of East County Arts. In June, the museum will welcome artists, historical actors and crafters for the annual Wieghorst Western Heritage Days.
LOCATION: 131 Rea Ave., El Cajon
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday
COST: $1 suggested donation
MORE INFORMATION: (619) 590-3431
ONLINE: wieghorstmuseum.org
–Jeremy Ogul
