Artists, auctions flood Great Falls during Western Art Week
Published: March 2, 2010
From March 17-21, Great Falls is brimming with art during what’s become known as the Great Western Art Week. The town will be home to a variety of auctions and art shows that attract artists, collectors and art admirers from far and wide.
The Russell: The Sale to Benefit the C.M. Russell Museum
Brown
New to this year’s offerings is “The Russell: The Sale to Benefit the C.M. Russell Museum,” March 18-20 at the C.M. Russell Museum and Meadow Lark Country Club.
The inaugural event – which solely benefits the Russell Museum – kicks off Thursday with a reception and wall sale of 130 works of art at the museum. During "Art in Action," Friday at the country club, two-dozen artists will paint, sculpt and interact with the audience. The event includes a brunch, book-signing and live auction at 2:30 p.m.
Saturday brings a live auction at 11 a.m. of more than 150 pieces of historic and contemporary western art at the museum, with brunch, refreshments and live music on tap. Call 406-727-8787 or visit www.cmrussell.org.
The C.M. Russell Auction
The C.M. Russell Auction, often called the “granddaddy of western art auctions,” is March 17-20 at the Best Western Heritage Inn. A tradition since 1969, this annual event hosted by the Great Falls Advertising Federation is jam-packed with artist demonstrations and reception, quick draws, seminars, entertainment and live auctions.
The 42nd annual event gets underway Wednesday with the grand opening of the exhibit room and Charlie's Birthday Party at 6 p.m.
Preview auction art from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, with a reception from 7-10 p.m. Seven popular western artists create art from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday during the inaugural "The Magnificent Seven," sponsored by Cowboys and Indians Magazine.
A Chuckwagon Brunch and Awards Ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday is followed by a free seminar at 1 p.m., with Gordon Snidow presenting "My Story." Snidow is a leader in the development of the American Western Art Movement, and considered one of the foremost chroniclers of the contemporary cowboy. He’s a charter member of the Cowboy Artists of America, and has had retrospective shows at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., the Hubbard Museum of the American West and the Cowboy Artists of America Museum. Snidow’s work can be found in the permanent collections of the leading western art museums throughout the U.S.
The quick draw and reception begins at 4:15 p.m., followed by the first Russell Auction at 5:30 p.m.
Artists and authors gather for an Autograph Party, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday; Blackfeet Indian dancers perform at noon; and Ed Trumble offers another free seminar at 1 p.m., titled "Western Art and Leanin' Tree: A Happy Marriage." Trumble is founder and chairman of Leanin’ Tree fine art greeting card company in Boulder, Colo., where his quest for original western art for reproduction has led to lifelong friendships with many artists, and a personal collection that forms the basis of the Leanin’ Tree Museum of Western and Wildlife Art.
A quick draw begins at 4:15 p.m. with the final auction 5:30-9 p.m. Call 800-803-3351 or visit www.cmrauction.com.
Western Heritage Artists Association Art Show
in the Western Heritage Artists show.
Members of the Western Heritage Artists and invited guests gather March 17-21 at the Holiday Inn for the “Footprints On The Trail” Art Show. The 28th annual event kicks off at 7 p.m. Wednesday, with a preview reception and awards for the juried lobby show.
During the Quick Finish and Auction, 7 p.m. Thursday, artists finish and frame a piece of work in 45 minutes; live and silent auctions of these quick creations follow, with proceeds supporting the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.
The art show, which features works by more than 60 artists, includes artist demonstrations and a hands-on activity with Interpretive Center staff on Saturday afternoon. Jeni Dodd performs Wednesday and cowboy poet and singer Ken Overcast entertains Saturday.
Nine new artists juried into this year’s exhibit include Janet Christenot from Buffalo, Wyo., Sam Thiewes from Fort Collins, Colo., Crystal Smith from Thorp, Wash., and Montanans Steve Lillegard from Stanford, Mary Wood from Trout Creek, Dave Dupe from Helena, Jesse Henderson from Box Elder, Cori Malloy from Kalispell, and Jim Bechtel from Emigrant.
The show, which features everything from paintings and bronzes to photography and mixed media, is open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday (406-868-9649 or www.westernheritageartists.com).
Also on tap:
Great Falls Native American Art Show, March 18-21 at Mansfield Convention Center; 28th annual show features original artwork by Native American artists with works ranging from paintings to beadwork and other traditional art forms — all created by enrolled tribal members or documented descendents.
Demonstrations, dancers, singers, drumming and concessions are also on tap (406-452-3608).
March in Montana Show and Auction, March 18-20 at Town House Inn; fine western art and collectibles fill this show and sale with auctions at 11 a.m. Friday and at 2 p.m. Saturday (307-635-0019 or www.marchinmontana.com).
Contway and Friends Art Show, March 18-21 at Montana ExpoPark; 40 artists gather for this annual show and sale (406-727-8900).
