The Russell Great Falls, MT
Artists and collectors of all calibers return to The Russell in Great Falls, Montana.
The Russell, the crown jewel of Great Falls, Montana, returns March 19 to the place where Charles M. Russell lived, worked and helped bring Western art into the 20th century. The artist and his legacy loom large over Western Art Week, the citywide event that has sprung up around The Russell, and yet the C.M. Russell Museum, the organizer and host of the show, continuously finds ways to celebrate the artist’s life while also looking into the future with artists who are inspired by Russell’s work.
The resulting show produces, year after year, a diverse array of artwork from a diverse array of artists, each drawing in their own special way on the Russell legacy. This year is no different, with hundreds of works from some of the top Western artists working today, as well as important historic works from Russell and his contemporaries.
One of the key distinctions of The Russell is the way it allows artists of all stripes to submit works for consideration. “We are open for all,” says Duane Braaten, director of art and philanthropy at the C.M. Russell Museum. “We maintain an open call for submissions. We invite everyone to apply for consideration. I’m always excited every October about the submission deadline because we get to see work from studios across the country.”
This open submission process has made for an exciting venue for unheard-of artists to become established stars, and for veteran artists to cement their status as legends of Western art. Artists such as Jeremy Winborg and Andy Thomas have found tremendous success at
previous Russell events, and both are returning this year. Last year the spotlight fell on Canadian painter Adeline Halvorson when a piece of hers, estimated at $5,000 to $7,000, sold for nearly $47,000. “She applied through our submission process and we selected one of her works, but upon shipping the piece, for whatever reason, it got hung up at the border. The piece, at that time, could not be located,” Braaten says. “But we wanted her work in the show, so to keep her involved we accepted a second piece of hers and that was the one runaway. The sleeper hits like that are always so wonderful for us, and exciting for our collectors.”
This year’s show kicks off March 19 with the Art Preview Party at the C.M. Russell Museum, and the opening of the Russell Skull Society of Artists Suites at the Mansfield Convention Center, where a large portion of the events will be held. On March 20, the festivities continue at the Meadow Lark Country Club with the Art in Action quickdraw event from 10 a.m. to 2
p.m., followed by the First Strike Friday Night Auction at 6 p.m. at the convention center. The First Strike sale is dedicated to works by contemporary artists, which includes works by Tom Dean, Lee Alban, Michael Blessing, Echo Ukrainetz and many others. The show picks back up again on March 21 with an educational symposium at 9 a.m. at the convention center and a fashion show at noon at the Meadowlark Country Club.
The centerpiece of the event is The Russell Live, which takes place March 21 at 5 p.m. The sale will feature a mixture of art from contemporary artists and a historic works from some of the top names in Western art, including nine works by Russell that range from oils and watercolors to bronzes and illustrated letters.
Highlights from the Russell works include Following the Buffalo Run, a major oil work from around 1894, that is estimated at $1.5 million to $2 million. “This was made in the 1890s and is a perfect example of Russell hitting his stride,” Braaten says of the piece that shows a Native American woman on horseback on the plains with a child on her back and small pony by her side. “It’s a strong offering and really shows the great depth Russell was taking his works.”
Another Russell oil being offered is Indian on Horseback, a work from 1898 that is estimated at $450,000 to $550,000. The work shows a Native American rider whose horse is taking an awkward step off a short rocky outcropping. Also up for grabs for collectors is Meat for the
Camp, a watercolor from around 1894, with estimates of $200,000 to $300,000. In addition to these major pieces, several smaller and more affordable works will be offered, including the pen-and-ink drawing Woman Petting Unsaddled Horse (est. $15/20,000) and the bronze The Bluffers (est. $20/30,000).
Other prominent lots in the 137-lot auction are Thomas Moran’s 1899 oil Green River in Wyoming (est. $750/950,000) and Eanger Irving Couse’s Indian by Firelight (est. $75/125,000). “We’re thrilled to have the Moran because it represents one of his great calling cards when it comes to subjects—the Green River in Wyoming. Masterpieces of this subject matter, and at much greater size, have drawn some incredible prices over the years. This is a strong