Posters, Posse, and a Country Chorus: July at the Booth Museum

This summer, the Booth Western Art Museum is leaning into the cinematic West—with bold movie posters, TV trivia, and a legendary Nashville songwriter—no spurs required.

Starting July 5, the Booth debuts a new exhibition: Selling the Western: Movie Posters Old & New.

It’s a visual deep-dive into how Hollywood has sold the Western over the decades—think gritty standoffs, heroic fonts, and brooding silhouettes, from golden-age classics to modern reboots. These aren’t just marketing tools. They’re a century of pop culture wrapped in glossy paper and bold color.

The posters are pulled from the Booth’s own permanent collection, and the show pairs perfectly with Western Costumes from the Silver Screen: The Davey Collection, still on view. Together, they offer a full-circle look at how the West has been dressed up and put on display, both on-screen and off.

Want to test your Western knowledge?

Thursday, July 10 from 6–8 p.m., head to the Booth Ballroom for Western Movie & TV Trivia.

Bring your sharpest friends (and maybe your fastest buzzer finger), because there are prizes on the line—plus food and drinks available for purchase.

Expect a mix of questions inspired by both current exhibitions. You don’t have to be a film historian—but knowing your Clint Eastwood from your Sam Elliott probably wouldn’t hurt.

Then on Sunday, July 13 at 2 p.m., the Booth welcomes award-nominated songwriter Max T. Barnes as part of its Legendary Songwriter Series.

His hits include:

• “Love, Me” – Collin Raye
• “Before You Kill Us All” – Randy Travis
• “Let Go of the Stone” – John Anderson
• “How Your Love Makes Me Feel” – Diamond Rio
• “Way Down Deep” – Vern Gosdin

And here’s a country music trivia nugget of its own: in 1992, Max’s song “Love, Me” lost Song of the Year to a song co-written by his father, Max D. Barnes, and Vince Gill. It’s the only time a father and son were nominated in the same category. No hard feelings—just one heck of a family legacy.

It’s a July full of wide shots, close-ups, and stories that stick—told through posters, costumes, trivia nights, and the lyrics that helped define a genre.

Just be ready to hum a country tune on your way out. It’ll happen.