Charles M. Russell died 99 years ago, but his spirit has not left his hometown of Great Falls, Montana, which celebrates the artist—and all of Western art—with a weeklong series of shows and events known as Western Art Week. Or, depending on who you talk to, Russell Week.
One of the cornerstones of the week is March in Montana,which returns to the Great Falls Elk Lodge, Russell’s lodge, from March 20 through 22. The annual event offers a two-pronged approach to art: a three-day dealer show and a lively live auction with around 750 lots split up over two sessions.
Sydney Laurence (1865-1940), Mt. McKinley, oil on canvas, 16 x 20 in. Estimate: $25/35,000
Western Art Week has been somewhat fractured in recent years due to the pandemic, which moved some of the March events to August. After several years with a split itinerary separated by five months, all of the major events are once again in March. It’s creating a buzz that the auction owners can feel in the air. “Early feedback we’ve been getting is that this year’s Western Art Week is going to be huge. We are hearing from all kinds of people who are coming out and excited. We’re expecting attendance to be excellent,” says auction partner Ron Nicklas. “Just yesterday we received calls from some people who wanted a catalog because they had never been to Great Falls before. We’re hearing that a lot, from both returning visitors and lots of first-time visitors.”
“Renewed interest,” Nicklas adds. “That’s what we’re feeling.”
Ralph DeCamp (1858-1936), Teepee, oil on canvas, 16 x 24 in. Estimate: $8/12,000
With Russell as the mascot for the week, this year’s live sale will feature artwork by the famous artist, including the watercolor Portrait of Chief Joseph, estimated at $50,000 to $70,000. In addition to several Russells, there will be two works from Russell contemporaries: Olaf C. Seltzer’s Bucking Horse (est. $10/15,000) and Ralph DeCamp’s Teepee (est. $8/12,000). All three artists called Montana home.
The sale has long been known to bring an eclectic collection of artwork to bidders, and this year is no exception with lots that include a century-old Cheyenne beaded woman’s dress (est. $10/15,000), exceptional Navajo rugs, historic photography and bronze pieces, including Harry Jackson’s Sacagawea with Packhorse(est. $6/9,000).
Charles M. Russell (1864-1926), Portrait of Chief Joseph, watercolor, 9 x 8 in. Estimate: $50/70,000
One of the more unique pieces comes from Bob Ross, the popular host of the television show The Joy of Painting. Ross was famous for his TV painting lessons, during which he painted “happy trees” and showed viewers how to easily paint tree leaves and reflections in mountain lakes. It’s estimated that Ross painted more than 30,000 paintings throughout his career, but an exceptionally rare number of them (barely a dozen) have hit the open market since the vast majority of the paintings are owned by the artist’s estate (Ross died in 1995).
Harry Jackson (1924-2011), Sacagawea with Packhorse, bronze, 26 x 20 in. Estimate: $6/9,000
“A lot of people are going to be interested in this piece,” Nicklas says. “The provenance on the piece is really great, too. It was painted when he was in the military up in Alaska in the late 1970s. He gifted it to his fishing partners up there and they gifted it down to their kids. When I tell people we have a Bob Ross they just can’t believe it. It’s going to be fun to watch.”
Edgar Payne (1883-1947), Brittany Boats, oil on canvas board, 20 x 24 in. Estimate: $20/30,000; Charles M. Russell (1864-1926), Whitetail, watercolor, 7½ x 9½ in. t.Estimate: $60/80,000
Ross’ Alaska painting will join other important works from the state known as the Last Frontier, including Sydney Laurence’s Mt. McKinley, estimated at $25,000 to $35,000. The mountain—known widely by its Athabascan name, Denali, and the subject of recent political wrangling by opposing presidents—was painted hundreds of times by Laurence, who was one of the first professional artists to paint Alaska.
George Molnar, News from Home, oil on canvasboard, 30 x 42 in. Estimate: $20/30,000
Another historic work comes from Edgar Payne, who will be represented in the sale by Brittany Boats,estimated at $20,000 to $30,000. In addition to his paintings of Navajo people and California, Payne’s harbor scenes are some of his most famous works.
Abigail Gutting, So, You Think You’re Good?, oil on linen, 36 x 42½ in. Estimate: $10/15,000
The sale will also feature works by living artists, including Joe Kronenberg’s oil Hands (est. $15/25,000); Jaune Quick-to-See Smith’s untitled modern work (est. $12/18,000); John Pepion’s ledger piece A Gift from the Sun (est. $5/7,000); George Molnar’s News from Home (est. $20/30,000); and a new Abigail Gutting painting titled So, You Think You’re Good? (est. $10/15,000). Gutting, who has appeared at March in Montana in the past, is a fan favorite who has risen through the ranks to become one of the rising stars within Western art.
Olaf C. Seltzer (1877-1957), Bucking Horse, watercolor, 12 x 10¾ in. Estimate: $10/15,000
“Abi really came through in a big way last year with her piece, and so did Joe Kronenberg, who hit a home run with his piece in the sale. They are making some incredible work right now, so we’re expecting to see a lot of interest in their paintings,” Nicklas says. “Another artist we’re seeing great things from is Brooke Wetzel. Her work has a lot going for it, and she gave us a nice piece to offer to bidders.”
The sale will take place at 11 a.m. on March 21 and 22. Online bidding and absentee bidding are available. —
Bob Ross (1942-1995), Alaska Landscape, 1978, oil on canvas, 12 x 24 in. Estimate: $20/30,000
March in Montana
March 20-22, 2025Auction, March 21-22, 11 a.m.
Dealer show, March 20-22, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Great Falls Elks Lodge No. 214
500 First Avenue South, Great Falls, MT 59401
(208) 664-2091 www.marchinmontana.com
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