The great state of Montana has inspired artists for centuries. Of course, one can’t think of the wild and mountainous lands of Montana through an art lens without bringing Charlie Russell to mind. Living in the Treasure State for nearly five decades, Russell captured its myriad natural wonders through more than 4,000 recorded works of oil paintings, watercolors, sculpture and writing.
Glacier National Park in Montana. Photo by Mick Kirchman.Located close to the center of Montana on the northern Great Plains is the city of Great Falls, situated against several waterfalls along the Missouri River. It’s a gorgeous city (and the third most populous in the entire state). It’s also home to the C.M. Russell Museum, a celebration of the artistic legacy of Russell, as well as his contemporaries. The museum encompasses more than 3,000 pieces of Western art across 16 exhibition galleries, as well as a stunning outdoor sculpture garden. While pieces by Russell reign supreme—the museum houses nearly 1,000 of them—Western art lovers can also explore prominent works by such important names as Winold Reiss, Joseph Henry Sharp, Maynard Dixon, Eanger Irving Couse, Olaf Wieghorst, Henry Farny, Frank Tenney Johnson and more.
Also in Great Falls is the anticipated March in Montana Auction and Dealer Show.The 38th annual event, which celebrates the heritage of Western and Native American art, will take place March 20 to 22, 2025.
A view of the blue waters of Lake Josephine in Glacier National Park, Montana. Photo by David Morris.Head southeast for about 200 miles and you’ll hit the metropolitan city of Billings, which currently has the highest population in the state. Here you’ll find a menagerie of sites and experiences, including the Downtown Historic District and Western Heritage Center, as well as the Yellowstone Art Museum (YAM). “As a contemporary art museum, the Yellowstone Art Museum primarily collects recent work by artists who were part of the artistic vanguard of their time, and who live or work in a region that includes the Northern Plains and Northern Rocky Mountains. This collection has rich stories to tell about the unique social, cultural, and physical landscape of the Mountain West and Northern Plains,” the museum notes. Part of YAM’s core collection is its “Montana Collection,” housing 1,200 works centered on artists who have lived, worked or been inspired by their time in the state of Montana. Artists include Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Theodore Waddell and Deborah Butterfield, to name a few.
The front entrance of the Hockaday Museum in Kalispell, Montana.
Travel northwest to Kalispell to explore the Hockaday Museum, which captures the beauty and legacy of Glacier National Park, the historic culture of the Blackfeet Nation and the “glory days” of the Empire Builder Railroad.
As you plan travel this fall (and beyond), consider adding Montana to your itinerary. There is nothing like Big Sky Country.
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C.M. Russell Museum
400 13th Street North, Great Falls, MT 59401
(406) 727-8787, www.cmrussell.org
A view of the east entry at the museum.
The award-winning C.M. Russell Museum contains more than 3,000 pieces of Western art in a complex that covers an entire city block and encompasses 16 exhibition galleries, educational programming spaces, a dedicated research center and an impressive outdoor sculpture garden. With nearly 1,000 Charles M. Russell works in its collection, the museum presents Russell’s comprehensive, personal and authentic reflection on Western history. Also showcased are Russell contemporaries who have captured the traditions of North Plains Indian life, Montana wildlife and landscapes, as well as cowboy culture. Visitors will discover important work by Olaf C. Seltzer, Winold Reiss, Joseph Henry Sharp, Maynard Dixon, Eanger Irving Couse, Olaf Wieghorst, Henry Farny, Frank Tenney Johnson and more.
One of 16 galleries within the museum, which features exhibits throughout the year.
The museum welcomes visitors to “step into the world of Western art at the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana. From iconic landscapes to captivating cowboy scenes, immerse yourself in the rich legacy of Charlie Russell’s masterpieces. Plan your visit today and discover the magic of the Old West brought to life.”
The front entrance of the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana.+++
March in Montana Auction and Dealer Show
213 E. Sherman Avenue Coeur d’ Alene, ID 83814
(208) 664-2091, marchinmontana.com
info@marchinmontana.com
Olaf C. Seltzer (1877-1957), Return at Twilight, oil on canvas, 16 x 24 in., signed lower right, on verso: ‘Old C.M Russell Museum sticker.’ Estimate: $30/50,000 SOLD: $60,000
Next year, 2025, marks the 38th consecutive year the March in Montana Auction and Dealer Show will be held in Great Falls, Montana. Mark your calendars for March 20 to 22 for a celebration of the rich heritage of Western and Native American art.
With more than 100 artists’ world record prices and a 98 percent sold rate, March in Montana continues to be a high-energy live event. While many auction houses are bypassing the live auction format and full color catalogs, March in Montanais embracing it and growing it.
A view of the bidding room during a previous March in Montana Auction and Dealer Show.
“We believe consignors deserve to have their art and collectibles seen beyond the computer screen, by a passionate audience of collectors. In our minds, high-quality printed catalogs and a fast-paced auction will always be part of Western Art Week,” say event organizers. “We continue to be amazed with the quality and diversity of the art collections throughout the West and thoroughly enjoy working with so many collectors passionate about Western and Native art.”
William “Bill” Gollings (1878-1932), Winter Camp, oil on canvas, 18 x 24 in., signed and dated lower right: ‘1923’. Estimate: $80/120,000 SOLD: $102,000
Every year of the sale is a new adventure, with countless hours traveling Montana and working with consignors all over the country. For more information or to discuss consignments, please call (208) 664-2091. —
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