Charlie Russell had always loved the Wild West. Growing up in Missouri in the 1860s and ’70s, he frequently observed the fur traders passing through the state, learned to ride horses at a young age, and read voraciously about the West. He was also known to regularly sketch and make clay figures of various North American animals. So, eventually moving to the rugged wilderness of Montana at the age of 16 to work on a sheep ranch feels like the most natural course of action for the iconic artist, who went on to create thousands of paintings and sculptures of the ranchers and riders of the West—with the great state of Montana fueling that fire all along the way.
Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, Montana. Photo by Tony Reid.
Today, Montana plays host to dozens of yearly Western art events, none as big as Western Art Week, which takes place every March to celebrate Russell’s birthday. The week is chock full of events that will captivate the most passionate fans of the American West, including the Out West Art Show & Sale, the Great Western Show, the Celebration of Native Plains Artists, the Best of the West Show, the Legends West Art Show, and of course The Russell Live Auction, hosted by the C.M. Russell Museum. Taking place this year on March 22 from 4 to 9 p.m., The Russell exemplifies everything we love most about the Western art world, presenting exceptional works of historic art alongside contemporary works by some of the most prominent Western artists working today, all nestled within a lively atmosphere of energetic bidding, food and drink at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls. Bidders can vie for pieces by historic masters like Eanger Irving Couse, Maynard Dixon and Russell himself, as well as modern greats like Luke Frazier, Amber Blazina and more.
A rancher surveys cattle in rural Montana. Photo by John Kakuk.
The March in Montana auction is another pinnacle of Western Art Week in the Big Sky Country. This year’s event, which features works by Olaf C. Seltzer, Edgar Payne and even Bob Ross, is split into a three-day dealer show and live auction featuring close to 750 lots.
Defined by its diverse terrain, from the Rocky Mountains to the Great Plains, Montana is an endless source of inspiration for artists, past, present and future. Read on to learn about several of the events, artists and institutions based in the Treasure State.
A black-and-white print of Charles M. Russell working on a painting, dated 1909. Collection: Archives of Ontario, I0016670. Public Domain.
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C.M. Russell Museum
400 13th Street North, Great Falls, MT 59401
(406) 727-8787, www.cmrussell.org
Anchored by the great Charles M. Russell—renowned for his breathtaking historical record of Western cultures, landscapes and wildlife—the award-winning C.M. Russell Museum complex holds more than 3,000 pieces of art, including nearly 1,000 works by Russell himself.
Visitors explore the C.M. Russell Museum.
Spanning an entire city block, the complex features 16 exhibition galleries, educational programming spaces, a dedicated research center and an impressive outdoor sculpture garden. Visitors can immerse themselves in a comprehensive view of Russell’s artistic perspective on Western history, exploring not only his iconic artworks but also his handwritten personal correspondence and items. The museum also showcases the work of Russell’s contemporaries, who captured the traditions of Northern Plains Indian life, Montana’s diverse wildlife and landscapes and cowboy culture.
Charles M. Russell (1864-1926), The Run, 1906, oil, 11¼ x 18¼ in.; Jennifer Johnson, Queen of the Tetons, oil, 40 x 30 in. Estimate: $12/15,000
Notable artists featured include Olaf C. Seltzer, Winold Reiss, Joseph Henry Sharp, Maynard Dixon, Eanger Irving Couse, Olaf Wieghorst, Henry Farny and Frank Tenney Johnson, among others. Each artist contributes a unique vision of the American West, preserving its stories and spirit through their craft.
Located in Great Falls, Montana, this cultural landmark offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience Russell’s artistic legacy firsthand. Visitors can explore the land that inspired his masterpieces and celebrate the rich history of the American West in the very place where it unfolded.
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March in Montana Auction & Dealer Show
213 E. Sherman Avenue, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814
info@marchinmontana.com
www.marchinmontana.com
Since 1987, March in Montana Auction & Dealer Show has been part of Western Art Week in Great Falls, Montana. Every March the auction celebrates Charlie Russell’s birthday by offering Western and Native art and collectibles to collectors throughout the country.
Earle Heikka (1910-1941), Successful, bronze, 13 x 14 x 5 in., inscribed: ‘E.E. Heikka 33-35, 13-15’. Provenance: Private Collection, MN. Estimate: $10/15,000
The 38th annual March in Montana takes place at the Great Falls Elks Lodge March 20 to 22 during Western Art Week. More than 750 lots including paintings, bronzes, weavings, antique firearms, photographs, Native and cowboy collectibles will be featured. Montana artists in the sale include Charles M. Russell, Olaf C. Seltzer, Ace Powell, Bob Scriver, Earle E. Heikka, J.K. Ralston and William Standing. For 2025, March in Montana is proud to present contemporary works by Montana artists Paul Dykman, Kira Fercho, Colt Idol, CM Chip Jones, Don Oelze, John Pepion, Brooke Wetzel and Ken Yarus. These fantastic works were created specifically for this sale.
Charles M. Russell (1864-1926), Whitetail, watercolor, 7½ x 9½ in., signed and dated lower right. Estimate: $60/80,000; Olaf C. Seltzer (1877-1957), Blackfoot Braves, oil on canvas, 20 x 30 in., signed lower left. Estimate: $50/70,000
In addition, the finest exhibitors will offer the best in Western art and artifacts. Coeur d’ Alene Galleries, Manitou Historic, Coeur d’ Alene Art Auction, Settler’s West, Tierney Fine Art, Mike Barlow and Hodges Fine Art will all be on hand for the show.
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Scott Mackenzie
(602) 380-6004
scottmackenziestudios@gmail.com
www.scottmackenziestudio.com
Distinguished artist Scott Mackenzie is renowned for his realistic and photorealistic paintings. His work, a testament to his meticulous attention to detail, captures the essence of his subjects with an uncanny accuracy that blurs the line between art and reality.
Green Giant, oil on canvas, 48 x 36 in.
Mackenzie’s artistry is not just about replicating a photograph on canvas, it’s about bringing the subject to life, infusing each piece with a sense of realism that is both captivating and immersive. His work is a reflection of his deep appreciation for the natural world and his ability to see beauty in everyday scenes. Mackenzie’s paintings are a celebration of the world around us, presented with a level of detail and precision that is truly awe-inspiring. —
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