$20 Million Gift Transforms Desert Caballeros into a New Era of Western Art
In one of the largest cultural gifts in Arizona history, the Desert Caballeros Western Museum has received a $20 million donation from longtime Wickenburg residents Carey and Jack Sigler. In recognition of their extraordinary generosity, the museum will now be known as the Sigler Western Museum — a new chapter for one of the West’s most beloved art institutions.
A Legacy Gift for the West
The Siglers’ donation, combined with an additional $9.25 million from other supporters, fuels a $30 million expansion that includes a new 27,100-square-foot art museum and pavilion located across from the museum’s historic main building. Groundbreaking is expected soon, with completion slated for late 2027.
Designed by Studio Ma, the award-winning Phoenix architecture firm behind Scottsdale’s Museum of the West and the Heard Museum’s additions, the new complex will feature expanded gallery spaces, a sculpture courtyard, state-of-the-art technology, and facilities for conferences, celebrations, and community gatherings. Construction will be managed by Okland Construction of Tempe.
Celebrating Western Women Artists
Over the past two decades, the museum has earned an international reputation for championing Western women artists through its acclaimed Cowgirl Up! Art from the Other Half of the West annual exhibition and sale.
The 2025 Cowgirl Up! event alone generated $900,000 in art sales, featuring more than 175 works by female artists. The museum was also recently honored by True West Magazine as the #1 Readers’ Choice Best Western Museum and #2 Top Art Museum of the West.
Honoring the Spirit of Wickenburg
Carey and Jack Sigler, lifelong ranchers and Western heritage advocates, have lived in Wickenburg for more than 20 years. Jack served as CEO of Russell Sigler Inc., a family-owned HVAC distributor, while Carey taught school for 35 years. Their deep ties to the Western lifestyle — and their admiration for the museum’s mission — inspired this unprecedented gift.
“The Museum is the foundation of Wickenburg,” said Carey Sigler. “We must keep the Western heritage. It’s a big part of who we are.”
Mayor BG Bratcher also praised the Siglers’ contribution, noting the museum’s role as a cornerstone of community pride that draws nearly 40,000 visitors annually, boosting tourism and the local economy.
“The generous Sigler donation and new museum complex will strengthen that impact and shape a vibrant future for Wickenburg,” Bratcher said.
A Bright Future Ahead
The Sigler Western Museum will continue to preserve the legends, stories, and artistry of the American West — while expanding its fine art collection, educational programs, and community outreach.
From its founding collection of 140 pieces in 1975 to today’s holdings of more than 600 works, the museum remains a dynamic celebration of Western art, heritage, and innovation.
For more information, visit SiglerWesternMuseum.org
(formerly Desert Caballeros Western Museum)
