The San Luis Obispo County Cattlemen’s Association takes great pleasure and pride in dedicating the 18th Annual Cattlemen’s Western Art Show and Sale to Bob and Bonnie Wilkins, whose 15 years of service to the show include giving it an identity.

Through their printing business in Atascadero, Bob and Bonnie have produced the posters and programs for the show, and their efforts have consistently demonstrated their talents as artists and dedication to supporting the arts in general.

Bob and Bonnie are both lifelong residents of Atascadero who married in 1952 and soon took over the downtown printshop from Bob’s father. Bob is still in there almost every day practicing many of the lost arts of the printing trade, but he and Bonnie have since expanded the business into a gallery that showcases his medium-format photography, her oil and watercolor paintings and the work of occasional visiting artists. Bob’s exhibits have ranged from stunning Western landscapes to Christo’s The Gates project in Central Park. Bonnie has been exhibiting her work at the Cattlemen’s Art Show for five years.

The two started putting their touches on the Cattlemen’s Art Show after a long history of going above and beyond in service to their community. Bob was elected to Atascadero’s first-ever city council in 1979 and helped guide the city’s formation while serving as mayor during its first three years. He has been an officer in many local church, business, art and service organizations, was twice named Atascadero’s Outstanding Businessman and was honored as the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce 2004 Citizen of the Year. Bob views photography as a relaxing way to pass the time and the perfect excuse to go interesting places.

Bonnie was a Charter Member of the Atascadero Quota Club and has held officer positions with the Cayucos Art Association and North County Women’s Shelter. She has taken painting lessons from the late Ellie Highland and many other well-known artists over the years, and her landscapes and florals reflect her deeply rooted love of color. Having been raised on a cattle ranch, Bonnie has always felt right at home at the Cattlemen’s Show.

Among anyone we could ever consider dedicating a show to, Bob and Bonnie deserve our deepest thanks. Not only for what they have done for us, but also for so many others.