Some may envision the American cowboy as a heroic harbinger of justice and manhood, riding into town to fight bad guys and kiss good-looking women. A symposium held in conjunction with the Shelburne Museum exhibition “Playing Cowboy” takes a closer look at the myth of the cowboy and the complex history of the American West. The West Through Other Eyes includes a talk on the American Indian perspective, an illustrated discussion on the portrayal of Buffalo Bill in film and a gallery tour of the exhibition led by curator Kory Rogers. The thought-provoking program culminates in a concert by Carolina Chocolate Drops cofounder Dom Flemons featuring pieces from his latest album, Black Cowboys.
