Iowa artist Andrew Peters smiles as he poses with his oil painting, "The Lake of Glass," after he and the artwork were honored as this year's Prix de West winner at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum on Saturday, June 13, 2015. Peters, 60, from Council Bluffs, used a setting in Rocky Mountain National Park as the inspiration for his 30" x 40' piece of art. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman.

An oil painting of a crystalline, alpine lake nestled in a beautiful valley surrounded by steep rocky mountain peaks won the 2015 Prix de West Purchase Award on Saturday at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

“The Lake of Glass,” priced at $18,000 and painted by Andrew Peters, 60, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, will be bought by the museum to be part of its permanent collection. The artist also will receive a $5,000 cash prize and the Prix de West medallion.

Announcement of the award-winning artwork and its artist was made during Saturday’s noon luncheon at the museum’s 42nd annual Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition and Sale. Traditionally, the announcement is a surprise to art patrons and artists attending the show.

“What a fabulous surprise this is! I could not be more proud,” a thrilled Peters told the crowd after it was announced he was the Prix de West winner. Later, in an interview, he said, “I never honestly dreamed I’d ever win this award after only nine years (at the show). I thought it would take 20 or 30 years — if then.”