Fallon artist Maxine Caprioli-Hight, the Reno Rodeo Artist of the Year, unveiled the Reno Rodeo's 2007 poster featuring her artwork at a ceremony held Feb. 15.

Caprioli-Hight was commissioned to produce the artwork last year by Reno Rodeo President Kevin McKee, who happens to be the father of the girl featured in the poster. Caprioli-Hight said the painting is based on an actual event that took place during the 2003 rodeo.

While their parents were busy with rodeo events, Mackenzie McKee and Connor Bohach, ages 6 and 7, were allowed to play in the arena. Sandi McKee, part of the rodeo's flag team, recalled seeing the kids on horseback, then off, then back on the horses and wondered how they were able to get there.

When the kids were asked, they showed their parents that Connor got on his hands and knees and provided a step up for Mackenzie to mount the horse. The idea for the poster was born.

Kevin McKee, as current rodeo president, had the prerogative to choose an artist for this year's poster and was impressed with Caprioli-Hight's artwork. He told her the idea and the two families came to Caprioli-Hight's home in Fallon last June to recreate the event. The kids, now 10 and 11, posed while Caprioli-Hight took several photographs from different angles.

Caprioli-Hight calls the painting "The Foundation." The painting is done in acrylic paints on 100 percent ragboard.

"It represents friendship, the (Reno Rodeo) Foundation and what they supply for the community," she said.

Proceeds from sales of the poster will be included in the rodeo's profits, which fund the Reno Rodeo Foundation. The foundation, established in 1986, provides scholarships to the University of Nevada and a mission to help children with special needs. According to its Web site, the foundation helped build a horseback riding facility for the Marvin Picollo School in Reno, a school for children with physical or mental needs.

Caprioli-Hight will have a limited number of artist's proofs for sale at her gallery, Artistically Yours, located at 111 S. Taylor St. in Fallon. The 50 artist's proofs are enhanced versions of the poster and are available for a short time only.

Posters will also be for sale at Powers Frameworks in Reno.

Caprioli-Hight plans to be present at the rodeo, which will be held June 15-23, and will sell, sign and frame the prints for customers.

Two other Fallon artists have produced the Reno Rodeo poster in the past few years. Kathy Sarman painted the 2000 and 2001 posters, while Traci Hatch painted the 2005 poster. All the rodeo's posters, dating back to 1983, can be viewed on the rodeo's Web site at www.renorodeo.com.