Winston Publishing

38 • portfolio Jay Contway & Friends Show The Legacy of Montana's Storyteller in Bronze T jay contway & friends art show he world of Western art lost one of its most legendary creators this past November, but Jay Contway's beloved wife and fellow artists are ensuring that his memory lives on. "It's all with Jay's blessing," Lynn Contway says, noting that her husband was very involved in planning this year's show right up until the end. "He is a legend. He has a legacy, just like C.M. Russell," she adds. The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame also endorsed this likening, and bestowed Jay with its Saddle of Honor in a ceremony at the C.M. Russell Museum less than three months before he passed away. The only other recipient to ever receive the prestigious Saddle of Honor award was none other than C.M. Russell himself. "Jay was truly honored to be the second recipient following Charlie Russell," Lynn says. "It cements Jay's place in the history of western art in Montana and beyond. He is in good company." Many of his bronzes were like snapshots of energy-filled moments, and his ability to capture movement and minute details was masterful. "He was divinely blessed with a God-given talent for western art," Lynn says of Jay, who was also a teacher and rodeo champion earlier in his life. "His attention to detail and action made him one of the best cowboy sculptors ever known." The Saddle of Honor was the last of many awards Jay received throughout his 84 years. He was also inducted into the Calgary Stampede Western Art Show Hall of Fame, the C.M. Russell Museum Skull Society of Artists, the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame, and the Montana Pro-Rodeo Wall of Fame during his storied career. Those awards will be part of a display case of memorabilia visitors can view at this year's show. "We're going to put a small, glass museum display case in our show and into that we will put a little bit of Jay Contway memorabilia, such as his awards, and of course his cowboy hat," Lynn says. "Just some of the ordinary things that were in his life. It will be very personal to Jay." Jay has been a part of Western Art Week since the very beginning. "When Norma Ashby began the Great Falls show, I don't think she had any idea that she was creating a model – and it has been a model for dozens of communities to begin their own art shows," Lynn says. "Jay was at her first show, but I don't think they realized what an important idea they were a part of." By Holly Matkin Jay Contway • "A Wreck Acoming" A few years later, Jay decided to put together his own Western Art Week show to help even more artists to display and sell their work. "Jay started his own art show because he was not too good with rules," Lynn laughs. "He just wanted to show his art and sell it. That is what he expects from the artists in his show: Put together a first-class display of the best of what you have to offer and show it off! Visit with the public and enjoy the life you have chosen – creating art in all forms." An eclectic mix of ten talented artists plan to do just that during this year's Jay Contway & Friends Art Show at the Hilton Garden Inn. Guests will find contemporary western art, woodworking, jewelry, pottery, and much more! If you're in the market for hard-to-find original works such as a signed book and drawing by C.M. Russell, a beautiful O.C. Seltzer illustration, or drawings and letters penned by Will James – well, this show has those, too! Artists Cathryn McIntyre (Reitler) and Mitch McIntyre, a husband-and-wife duo out of Glasgow, will have these

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