Official Guide to Art Week Great Falls, Montana March 15th-19th, 2023
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1219974
12 • portfolio the russell: the sale to benefit the cm russell museum After decades of planning, museum expands and reimagines future Angie Windheim P reserving the past to protect the future was a bold story Charlie and Nancy Russell told over a century ago and the C.M. Russell Museum continues telling today. With work underway on a multi-phased northern campus expansion, the museum is poised to strengthen its role as the crown jewel of Western art and culture. "Our opportunity to reimagine the museum campus is a manifestation of decades worth of work and a bold decision by board leaders to begin acquiring neighboring properties with donor support," said executive director Tom Figarelle. "We are especially fortunate and grateful that at this hinge point in our future, an anonymous donor's intimate connection and patronage enabled the museum to purchase the final property." With the acquisition of 1221 5th Avenue North. The museum now owns the entire north side of the block between 12th and 13th Streets as well as a portion of the northwest corner of 5th Avenue and 12th Street. This expansion is the museum's first in over 20 years and adds 2.1 acres to the campus. Visitors to the museum during Western Art Week in March will see some immediate changes to the north. Existing structures have been removed, clearing space for a beautification project. The creation of a community greenspace is underway as are improvements to museum entry points and parking. At the heart of the current museum campus are the early 1900s, fully-restored house and studio of Charlie and Nancy Russell, a National Historic Landmark. Over the years, Charlie and Nancy's backyard has grown to include one of the first recognized Western art museums, the Frederic G. and Ginger K. Research Center, and the outdoor Russell Riders Sculpture Garden. A Campus Master Plan Task Force was formed in October 2019 to manage the detailed, long-term plan. The Russell Exhibition and Sale Bold Vision Now Reality for C.M. Russell Museum "She lives for tomorrow and I live for yesterday." - Charles Russell