PENDLETON – A photographic exhibit, “Cowgirls: Contemporary Portraits of the American West,” opened Friday, Aug. 12, and runs through Sunday, Oct. 9, at Tamastslikt Cultural Institute in Pendleton.

The exhibit features 30 photos, along with narrative quotes, that explore the daily challenges, professional triumphs and personal tenacity of women who run cattle or ride broncs and bulls.

Award-winning photographer Ronnie Farley spent three years documenting two types of cowgirls – women ranchers and rodeo contestants – for the show.

The exhibit reveals the complex, unglamorous, yet inspiring reality of women steeled by ranch life in the modern West.

The Tamastslikt Cultural Institute is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. every day from April through October, and closed on Sundays from November through March.

Tamastslikt is at 47106 Wildhorse Blvd., 10 miles east of Pendleton. Call 541-966-9748 for more information, or visit www.MyEagleNews.com for a link.