Art shows are returning to in-person viewings for Western Art Week with much excitement, including the popular Out West Art Show. Last year’s event was a much smaller footprint due to Covid restrictions, but this year, while still smaller than previous years, the Out West Art Show will return to the Heritage Inn for its 50th year; the longest-running art show at this location. Artists will be ready to mingle and discuss their original Western wonders, with booths and tables displaying a large variety of styles, themes and mediums. Echo Ukrainetz, Chase in the Morning, batik with gold leaf background, 27½ x 23"

Steve Oistad, Low Country Gather, pastel, 18 x 24”

“Over 70 artists will feature their work, and even more will be displayed by galleries that have exhibitions at the show,” says Johna Wilcox, board of directors. “We have no new artists selected this year, due to our smaller structure, but we’re always looking out. Covid has changed the nature of our show, so we don’t have room for more artists. We brought everything down from the second floor, to display on one floor for more space.”

The show will also be returning with their popular events, starting with the reception on March 17, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. There will be live music by Britta Lee, along with hors d’oeuvres while artists and enthusiasts alike can engage with each other after being separated for these last couple years. Ron Ukrainetz, Investigator, polychromatic engraving, 24 x 18”

John Pepion, Warrior Way, ink and color pencil on antique ledger paper

Robert Rodriguez, The 49‘er — The Stories He Could Tell, oil on canvas, 28 x 24”

On March 18, the show will open at 11 a.m., and later in the afternoon, the only featured Quick Draw of Western Art Week will start at 5:30 p.m. Twelve artists gather to paint in front of a live audience with an auction of completed pieces to follow. The final day of the show, March 19, the festivities continue with the Paint-A-Round event beginning at 3 p.m. Another Twelve artists have a few minutes to work on a single piece of art before it rotates to another artist. This leads into the Quick Finish event at 5:30 p.m., giving artists one hour to complete a piece while attendees watch. Following both events is another auction of the finished work.

At booths and exhibits, collectors can expect works of art ranging from miniature paintings to large sculptures. Oil painter Robert Rodriguez will be displaying his detailed beauties, including piece The 49‘er — The Stories He Could Tell, depicting an older man in cowboy attire. “[This painting] has an odd perspective because of the idea I wanted to get across: A life lived digging in the dirt for so long that he had almost become a part of the earth itself,” says the artist. “Stories are important to me in my work, and the design of a piece is my primary way to tell those stories. I don’t want to explain it all, but I like to leave things a little open ended. Every painting starts with the design until I develop it to find the story in the composition.”Robert Rodriguez, Mama and Me, oil on panel, 11 x 14”

Also watch out for artist John Pepion and his contemporary illustrations like Warrior Way, showing a Native American figure on horseback painted on a map. Pepion considers his art journey as ceremony because his understanding of his past, family and culture grows with each piece he creates. “Through my art,” he says, “I find personal healing, cultural preservation and a deeper connection to place.” A descendent of Mountain Chief, a Blackfeet leader who preserved history through numerous winter counts, Pepion aspires to have a positive impact on his community through his art activities and beyond. When not creating art, Pepion is an active public speaker and educator who has traveled the country speaking at public schools, organizations and with groups of aspiring artists. John Pepion, Blackfeet Country, ink and color pencil on antique ledger paper

Robert Rodriguez, Mexican Parade Saddle, oil on canvas, 48 x 36”

Awards will also be handed out at the show, including People’s Choice for the Quick Draw and Quick Finish; Best Body of Work, chosen by the mayor; and the Heritage Award, given to an artist that has inspired the show throughout the year and remains dedicated to its success. Last year’s Heritage Award winners were husband and wife, Ron and Echo Ukrainetz, who will be returning for the show this year. —

Out West Art Show
March 17-19, 2022
Heritage Inn
1700 Fox Farm Road, Great Falls, MT 59404
(406) 590-1961, www.outwestartshow.net

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