OKLAHOMA CITY ' Enid, Oklahoma, native Harold T. Holden will be inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum's annual Western Heritage Awards, April 21 - 22, 2017. The awards celebrate the legacy of those whose works in literature, music, film, and television reflect the significant stories of the Western genre.

The more than 200 men and women honored within the Hall of Great Westerners represent the heart and spirit of the Western heritage and embody a precious and immutable legacy. Explorers, Native American leaders, writers, poets, statesmen and others who have revered the land, cherished freedom of individuality, inspired their fellow peers, and found the strength of character to overcome tremendous adversity find a home within this unique and enduring national memorial.

After graduating from Enid High School, Holden attended Oklahoma State University and graduated from the Texas Academy of Art in Houston. He toured with the Navy during Vietnam aboard the U.S.S. Rainier, and eventually ventured to make it as a professional fine artist. He began his career in the commercial art field, ultimately taking the position of Art Director at Horseman Magazine.

Holden's paintings can be seen nationwide, but one of the most notable is his 5-foot-8-inch oil painting of western Oklahoma hanging in the Oklahoma State Capitol. Additional works from Holden are in Will Rogers World Airport, University of Central Oklahoma, United States Postal Service, among other prominent institutions. His larger-than-life sculptures are displayed at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, Oklahoma History Center, Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Oklahoma, National Cowboy Museum, among several other prevalent destinations. Holden's infamous bronze sculpture of a cowboy on horseback, Wrangler, is awarded to each honoree during the Western Heritage Awards.

"It's an honor to recognize such a remarkable Oklahoman and pioneer of the West at the Western Heritage Awards," said Chief Financial Officer and Interim President and CEO Gary Moore. "Harold's tremendous contributions to our Western heritage will leave a legacy for generations to come."

The Western Heritage Awards Cocktail Reception is at 5:30 p.m. on April 21, followed by the Western Heritage Awards Panel Discussion on April 22 at 11:00 a.m., cocktail hour at 5:00 p.m., and the black-tie dinner and awards ceremony at 6:00 p.m. The events are open to the public by reservation, with ticket discounts available to Museum members.

General admission, black-tie dinner pricing is $185; $155 for Museum members. For more information about Western Heritage Awards and a full list of award winners and inductees, visit nationalcowboymuseum.org or call (405) 478-2250.

Event sponsors at time of press include Ann and David Brown, Wrangler, Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Museum Partners.

About the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Nationally accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is located only six miles northeast of downtown Oklahoma City in the Adventure District at the junction of Interstates 44 and 35, the state's exciting Adventure Road corridor. The Museum offers annual memberships beginning at just $40. For more information, visit nationalcowboymuseum.org. For high-resolution images related to the National Cowboy Museum, visit nationalcowboymuseum.org/media-pics/.