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THE RUSSELL
Friday night brings the First Strike Auction to the Heritage Inn, seing the
stage for a weekend steeped in Western artistry. While this event primarily
highlights contemporary Western art, it also tips its hat to history, featuring
around 25 treasured pieces from the Rosenthal collection.
e focus shis to heritage and storytelling on Saturday with the
Russell Educational Symposium, hosted by Dr. Lanny Real Bird at 9 a.m.
at Montana ExpoPark. With a deep knowledge of Indigenous culture,
Real Bird leads a discussion that enriches the weekend with a greater
understanding of the traditions that have shaped the West.
en, as the weekend reaches its grand crescendo, all eyes turn to e
Russell Live Auction on Saturday evening at the Heritage Inn. is is the
moment collectors and art lovers have been waiting for, with
masterworks up for bid, including one of
Charlie Russell's seminal watercolor
paintings, Women of America.
is powerful piece captures
a caravan of Native American
women and their travois,
a testament to Russell's
deep respect for the people
and landscapes of the
American West.
Few artists have a history with
e Russell, like W. Steve Seltzer,
whose connection to the event
spans 56 years. "I kind of got in on the
ground floor, and it's really been a great
experience for me," Seltzer reflects.
"I had a chance to grow with the
show, get beer as an artist, and
still sell some paintings along the
way." Year aer year, he has
contributed pieces to the
auction, continuing a legacy
that runs deep in his blood.
The charm of Western Art Week lies in the eager anticipation of
conversations with artists and art aficionados.
At Art in Action, attendees witness
artists at work before bidding on freshly
completed pieces to support the C.M.
Russell Museum.
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