The Russell and Western Masters Exhibitor Show

CdA Galleries exhibit room #292 at Heritage Inn

I recently returned from Great Falls, MT where I participated in the Western Masters Art Show and Sale.  Along with the Western Masters, The Russell: the sale to benefit the C.M. Russell Museum and the March in Montana Auctions were taking place.  I can't think of any other reason to go to Great Falls, MT in the middle of March, but if you've never been to Western Art Week, I highly recommend marking your calendar for the March 2013 show!  The Western Masters includes over 150 exhibit rooms filled with art, artists, and good old Western hospitality.  I happen to be one of those exhibitors and I exhibit a collection of historical works by deceased Western masters and contemporary favorites like Chad Poppleton, Terry Mimnaugh, Brett Smith, Daniel Smith, Martin Grelle, Andy Thomas, Tim Shinabarger and many more.  This year, I had deceased works by Charles Russell, O.C. Seltzer, Carl Rungius, Bill Gollings, John Fery, and Belmore Browne.  You can always find me in room #292 at the Heritage Inn where the majority of the events take place.  Visit the Western Masters website for more information.

The March in Montana Auction did very well posting a sale of $1.8 million with over 700 lots of paintings, sculptures, artifacts, spurs and rugs.  March in Montana is put on by Manitou Galleries and the Coeur d'Alene Art Auction.  You're bound to find some good stuff at great prices at their sale.  One of the highlights was the extraordinary painting by Andy Thomas this year.  Someone stole that painting for $35,000 plus the buyer's premium.

The Russell Auction - $2.75 million in sales

The biggest attraction is The Russell: The Sale to Benefit the C.M. Russell Museum.  It not only has the longest name in the country, but it's the annual fundraiser for the C.M. Russell Museum located in Great Falls, MT, Charlie Russell's hometown.  The weekend includes quick draws, quick finishes, wall sales, silent bids and the best part is the live auction.  To sum it up, here's a great article from the Great Falls Tribune:  Boisterous Bidding for C.M. Russell Watercolors.  Bidding was fierce and at the end of the day, the Museum set a record of $2.75 million in sales!  The big attraction was the Russell watercolors that came out of the Ginger Renner estate.  Ginger Renner was the country's foremost Charles Russell authority and her passing is a tremendous loss to the Western Art world.  Make your plans now, because 2013 is going to be just as much fun and I'll be reloading with all new works by all your favorite western artists.