Billy Schenck, A Horse Named Shorty, oil on canvas, 45 x 35”

The 2024 Night of Artists continues its storied tradition of showcasing top artists including Billy Schenck, Don Oelze, Z.S. Liang, John Coleman, C. Michael Dudash, George Hallmark, Kim Wiggins, Bonnie Marris, Michael Ome Untiedt, Teresa Elliot, Jan Mapes, Jeremy Lipking, Brenda Kingery, Ezra Tucker and George Hallmark. This year’s auction includes more than 85 artists, including new and returning artists Brandon Bailey, G. Russell Case, David Griffin, Jennifer Johnson, Huihan Liu, Walter Matia, James Morgan, Ed Natiya, Scott Tallman Powers and Morgan Weistling.

Kenny McKenna, Palo Duro Wash, oil on linen, 42 x 30”

Night of Artists opening weekend events, celebration and live auction take place March 22 to 23, and the public exhibition and sale runs March 24 to May 5.

The C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana. 

In much anticipation, The Russell is making its return to Western Art Week. The beloved event takes place in Great Falls, Montana, March 14 to 16, 2024. It is the premier fundraising event of the C.M. Russell Museum.  

Randy Van Beek, Blackfoot Sentinels at Square Butte Camp, oil, 33 x 54”

Collectors are invited to the Art Preview Party, where they can get an exclusive look at the artwork to be sold at First Strike and The Russell Live Auction. Glimpse into the mind and talent of revered artists at Art in Action, the museum’s signature variation of a traditional “quick draw.” Go head-to-head at First Strike, an auction solely dedicated to the works of contemporary artists. Then make sure not to miss the crowning event of Western Art Week, The Russell Live Auction. Featuring both significant historical works and distinguished contemporary art, this exhilarating night is a must-attend event for the experienced Western art collector.

Howard Terpning, Paper That Talks Two Ways – The Treaty Signing, 2008, oil on canvas, 57 x 70” SOLD: $2.3 million

For more than 35 years the Coeur d’Alene Art Auction has specialized in the finest classical Western and American art, representing past masters and outstanding contemporary artists. The auction principals have more than 100 years of combined experience in selling fine art and have netted clients more than $400 million in the last 20 years alone. 

William Herbert “Buck” Dunton (1878-1936), A Race for the Chuckwagon, oil on canvas, 34 x 51” SOLD: $786,500

The auction specializes in artwork by Charles M. Russell, Frederic Remington, Thomas Moran, Maynard Dixon, Howard Terpning and more. The 2024 Coeur d’Alene Art Auction will be held July 27 at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada.

John Nieto (Mescalero Apache, 1936-2018), Poised Coyote, 2000, acrylic on canvas, 48 x 60” SOLD: $63,000

Hindman is a leading fine art auction house, connecting cities nationwide to the global art market. Hindman’s Western and wildlife art department specializes in historic and contemporary art including works by Western pioneering artists, Taos Society founders, living and deceased Cowboy Artists of America members, New Mexico modernists and established Southwestern artists. From Thomas Moran to Ed Mell, Hindman’s Western art team proudly presents two premier auctions annually, comprising the highest quality art from the American West. The department has also excelled in bringing top examples of wildlife paintings and bronzes to the market. Hindman has proven itself as a leader in offering contemporary Native American art, holding auction records for Fritz Scholder, Earl Biss and Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, among others. With the help of Hindman’s 15 regional offices, quality consignments and enthusiastic buyers find their way to the auction house’s Denver saleroom from across the country and abroad. 

Carl Brenders, Lookout Tower, Timberwolves, 2009, mixed media on board, 43¼ x 31¾” Estimate: $60/90,000 SOLD: $192,000

Edward Borein (1872-1945), Mustang Round Up, watercolor on paper, 8 x 9” Estimate: $10/15,000 SOLD: $27,000

Howard Terpning, Status Symbols, 1982, oil on canvas, 34 x 26” Estimate: $200/500,000 SOLD: $390,000

A market leader in Western and wildlife for more than 16 years, Jackson Hole Art Auction’s three annual sales offer a high standard of works across several genres, including wildlife, sporting, figurative, landscape and Western art by both classical masters and contemporary artists. The auction house’s annual September auction has been recognized as one of the premier art events in the country and is a signature event of the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival, attracting collectors from across the country and abroad. JHAA’s sales feature works from highly collected artists such as John Clymer, Howard Terpning, Bob Kuhn, Carl Rungius, Joseph Henry Sharp, Frederic Remington, John Nieto and Robert Bateman, among many others. JHAA is partnered by Trailside Galleries, Gerald Peters Gallery and Sotheby’s veteran Kevin Doyle, who together have more than 100 years of art experience and expertise. Auction and private sale exhibitions are displayed year-round in a beautiful 8,000-square-foot showroom in downtown Jackson Hole, Wyoming. 

G. Harvey (1933-2017), Enough Till Spring, oil on canvas, 30 x 50” SOLD: $180,000

The Lone Star Art Auction is the largest live art auction event held annually in the state of Texas specializing in the best American, Western, wildlife, sporting and Texas fine art of the 19th to 21st centuries. Presented by Great American West and Phil Berkebile Jr., the Lone Star Art Auction brings buyers, collectors and sellers of historic and contemporary fine art together in Dallas each fall for a highly entertaining two-day event.

Howard Terpning, Proud Men, oil on board, 12 x 13”   SOLD: $216,000

In its first two sales, the Lone Star Art Auction has generated a combined $10.7 million in total sales with an average sell-through rate of 93.5 percent, making it one of the fastest growing and most successful auctions of its kind in the country.

Frank Tenney Johnson (1874-1939), The Lawless Frontier, oil on canvas, 25 x 30¼” SOLD: $270,000

The third annual Lone Star Art Auction will be held on October 11 to 12, kicking off on Friday, October 11, with a full-day auction art preview followed by the exclusive Lone Star Art Auction Patron’s Cocktail Reception and Dinner that evening. The live auction will be on Saturday, October 12, preceded with an auction art preview and pre-auction breakfast that morning followed by the main event at noon. The Lone Star Art Auction is now accepting consignments for the fall 2024 auction. Visit the auction website at www.lsartauction.com for more information.

Bidders vie for artwork at the 2023 March in Montana.

March 2024 brings a historic year for Western Art Week as all of the moving parts will once again take place in March. The March in Montana show and sale is sure to be a main attraction. With great collections from Montana, Florida, Chicago, Missouri, Washington and Tucson, Arizona, a large crowd is anticipated once again.

Jennifer Johnson, Surprise Lunch Guests, oil on canvas, 36 x 24” Estimate: $8/12,000

Two Edward H. Bohlin saddles along with an engraved Henry rifle and a Conrad Ulrich engraved 1866 Winchester rifle highlight the Western memorabilia part of the sale. Native American beadwork is off the charts with many items from the 19th century with a Crow shirt owned by the chief White Bull sure to garner a great deal of attention. For William Gollings fans, this is the place to be. A super selection of his hard to find etchings as well as two great oils will surely be fan favorites. A wonderful oil by Olaf Seltzer will also leave the crowd at the historic Elks Club glad they came. Of course, March in Montana is known for the great oils and bronzes by Montana artists Ace Powell, Bob Scriver and Earl Heikka.

Harry Jackson (1924-2011), Pony Express II, painted bronze, 13 x 16 x 9” Estimate: $6/8,000

The show runs Thursday through Saturday along with a preview of more than 750 lots. In addition to live bidding, the 2024 auction will be online, via Bidsquare and iCollector. Telephone and absentee bidders are always available but there is no experience like being in the crowd and feeling the energy and excitement that our auctioneer Troy Black can bring to the sale.

Gordon Snidow, Vince, oil on canvas, 30 x 50” Estimate: $25/35,000 

Old West Events is home to Brian Lebel’s Old West Shows & Old West Auctions, held every January in its new location of Las Vegas and every June in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Each annual event consists of a weekend vendor sale with hundreds of dealers, along with an exciting, live Friday night auction. Both the shows and auctions feature the best authentic Western art, antiques and artifacts available for public sale. The company prides itself on its reputation for honesty, quality and authenticity. 

Earl Biss (Crow, 1947-1998), Photo Finish, oil on canvas, 58 x 78” Estimate: $20/30,000

Harry Jackson (1924-2011), Pony Express, polychrome bronze, 19 x 22 x 10” Estimate: $15/20,000 

The Old West Auction features the finest Western artists and craftsmen and holds numerous auction records for Edward Borein. Frequent artists represented include Ross Stefan, Gordon Snidow, Howard Terpning, Harry Jackson, Bill Nebeker, Till Goodan, Earl Biss, Dave McGary, Harry Jackson, Will James and many others. In addition to fine art, the auction specializes in fine makers and craftsmen such as Dale Ford and Rick Bean, rare and collectible bits and spurs, antique and historic firearms, Native American artifacts and other fine Western Americana. The Old West Auction is probably best known for the 2011 sale of the only authenticated photograph of Billy the Kid for $2.3 million. 

Upcoming auctions:
34th Annual Las Vegas Old West Auction
January 26-27, 2024
Las Vegas, NV
35th Annual Santa Fe Old West Auction
June 21-23, 2024
Santa Fe, NM

A view of the exterior of the Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine, Texas. 

The Museum of the Big Bend is the cultural center in the vast West Texas area. Located in the Davis Mountains town of Alpine, the museum is housed in the historic 1937 Texas Centennial structure. The newest edition, the Emmett and Miriam McCoy Building, opened in June 2023, showcasing art from the museum’s collection and from public and private collections. Works by Texas artists such as Fred Darge, Xavier Gonzalez and Julius Woeltz are on exhibit in the hallway. A dedicated Tom Lea Gallery and the Temporary Exhibit Gallery features art from across the state. The 38th annual Trappings of Texas show and sale of contemporary Western art and custom cowboy gear is a three-day weekend of all things cowboy at the Museum of the Big Bend. Sales from the show benefit the artists and Trappings of Texas.

Teal Blake, No Bed of Roses, watercolor, 20 x 30”

Upcoming exhibitions at the museum include Andy Warhol- Cowboys and Indians organized by the Briscoe Western Art Museum in San Antonio, Texas, on view February to May 2024. This exhibit features Warhol’s 10 original screen prints and four test prints. In this 1986 series, Warhol chose favoring popular imagery over historical accuracy.

A view of Santa Fe Art Auction’s interior. Photo courtesy SFAA.

Santa Fe Art Auction has long been the preeminent auction house in the Southwest and a nationwide leader in classic Southwestern, Western and Native American arts, as well as American contemporary art. The auction house, founded in 1994, will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year and is renowned for its state-of-the-art operation based in an ultra-modern 13,000-square-foot facility in the heart of Santa Fe’s Baca Railyard Arts District. A celebrated leader in the Western art circuit, Santa Fe Art Auction has routinely set record hammer prices for prominent classic and contemporary artists including Charles Loloma, Tony Abeyta, Gustave Baumann and Edward Curtis. The auction house has further presented many important single-owner collections, including the Christopher Cardozo Collection of Edward Curtis, the Georgia and Charles Loloma Collection, and the Joseph Pytka Collection of historic Native American and New Mexican works.  

Howard Cook (1901-1980), Prismatic Night #1, 1951, oil on canvas, 24 x 40¼”

The 2024 Signature Live Sale will be presented in early November, the region’s highly anticipated annual live event that features the “Best of the West,” the finest of the various and diverse categories that the Santa Fe Art Auction brings to market throughout the year. A special 2024 highlight will be the presentation of the collection of renowned Taos Arts patron Gregory W. Nelson, featuring many early 20th-century New Mexico artists including Dorothy Brett, W. P. Henderson, Gene Kloss, Howard Cook and Ward Lockwood. For more information about upcoming sales or to consign, visit www.santafeartauction.com. 

Jim Norton, Over the Top of Baldie, oil on canvas, 24 x 32” Estimate: $7/10,000

For nearly 50 years, Vogt has specialized in objects of value that reflect and celebrate the unique lifestyle, people and stories of the region in fine and folk art, artifacts, ceramics, jewelry, firearms and bladed objects, furnishings and home accessories.

John Coleman, A Song for the Spirit, bronze, ed. 6 of 25 Estimate: $10/15,000 SOLD: $19,200

Vogt has been a leader in the growing Texas and Western art auction market. Featured artists have included Julian Onderdonk, Robert Onderdonk, Jose Arpa, Porfirio Salinas, G. Harvey, Jose Vives-Atsara, Dawson Dawson-Watson, Mary Bonner, Frank Reaugh, Tom Lea, Helen Hunter, Manuel Garza, Rolla Taylor, John Nieto, Robert Harrison, Robert Wood and more.

Collectors browse artwork at a past Pure West Art & Artifact Auction.

The Pure West Art & Artifact Auctionpremiered in 2018 as the cornerstone event of the Way Out West Festival. It has quickly grown to become Canada’s premier Western art auction. The 2024 edition of the Pure West Auction will be held on June 9 on the historic grounds of the Deane House in Calgary, Alberta. The afternoon auction is prefaced with live Western music, quick-draws, speakers and Western-inspired drinks and food. 

A view of the action at the Pure West Auction.

The auction offers a mix of new pieces from a curated charter member group of artists, as well as a wide selection of historic pieces and modern work from artists and consignors across North America. The auction is live, with online and proxy bidding available. Artist and consignor queries are welcome. Contact wayoutwestfestyyc@gmail.com for more information on consignments and watch for online bidding at www.purewestartauction.com beginning May 2024. 

Upcoming auctions:
Pure West Art & Artifact Auction
June 9, 2024
Calgary, Alberta

Engraved Henry rifle. Available in 2024.

At Western Trading Post, both technology and traditions are used, seamlessly blending modern ideas and tradition. Live auctions are held with the presence of a professional auctioneer, plus the global coverage afforded by internet reach is implemented, which opens up a world of possibilities for both buyers and sellers alike. Under the dedicated commitment of the Western Trading Post team, the auction house has achieved remarkable milestones, including a prestigious auction record set in 2022. The business proudly sold the most expensive squash blossom necklace ever auctioned live, with a staggering final price of $112,000. This achievement is but one example of the team’s commitment to excellence and its status as a premier destination for discerning collectors.

Ted Flowers Parade Saddle. Available in 2024.

As one of the fastest-growing auction companies within this space, Western Trading Post continually pushes boundaries. In 2023, there were 17 premier auctions hosted (up from 12 the year before), and the momentum shows no signs of slowing down, with plans for more than 20 special events throughout 2024.

A view of Yellowstone Art Museum’s The Night fundraising art auction and gala dinner, which takes place in September.

The museum’s signature Yellowstone Art Auction fundraiser will kick off the anniversary festivities with a diverse exhibition of silent and live auction artwork, culminating in a Live Auction Gala on Saturday, March 2. The YAM’s annual auctions have included renowned artists such as Deborah Butterfield, Theodore Waddell and Ben Pease. This year, the YAM is thrilled to include artwork from Kevin Red Star and many others in support of the museum’s six decades of service and a thriving future.