Winston Publishing

P.10 ~ PORTFOLIO > t h e r u s s e l l : t h e s a l e t o b e n e f i t t h e c m r u s s e l l m u s e u m "No Tracks to Follow" - Oil, 36" x 48" Joe Kronenberg: "A Man on A Mission" - Oil, 18" x 24" Luke Frazier are led this year by co-chairs Gregg and Devan Smith," Slovak adds. Volunteers are essential, yes, but Slovak also says the sponsors are just as crucial for each event. She says, "The business community of Great Falls supports The Russell through cash and in-kind donations, realizing the economic impact of the event on the city. BNSF Railway has been the presenting sponsor of The Russell for four years, allowing Great Falls to re- ally showcase the city and its love for Western art and the legacy of Charlie Russell." To keep Russell's love alive for all things relating to the West, Slovak knows that advocating for new artists is key. She speaks about the The Russell Museum's Russell Skull Society of Artists, formed in 2013 to recognize living American Western artists whose work celebrates the themes and tradition of Charles M. Russell. The two Russell Skull members who are new this year and featured during The Russell are Luke Frazier and Joe Kornenberg. Frazier draws inspira- tion from the natural wonders he sees in his travels -- from Alaska to Africa; Kronenberg works in oils to achieve objective standards of the 19th cen- tury European academic art world. Kronenberg won the C.M. Russell Auc- tion's Ralph "Tuffy" Berg Award in 2009. Though Western Fashion is not typically recognized as art rivaling what is created by the Tuffy Berg award winners, The Russell Fashion Show hits the runway in 2017. During the inaugural event, (The fashion show) will speak to women with different interest levels. It's a wide breadth of appealing fashions for women and men of all ages and lifestyles," says Fashion Show co-chair Kelly Harp. "The show is of educational value as well as an untapped art venue. "This is retail. Everything here will be for sale," says the Independent cabi stylist who has worked for four years in the specific area of 'lifestyle dressing.' For three years, she has volunteered for The Russell. Harp knows that fashion is pre- dictably followed by women, but men will be featured in the Fashion Show, too. She lists these Western 'wardrobing' items for men and women found at the event: belts, necklaces handbags, and, tradition- al Western Wear. Items are presented by Montana Dreamwear, North 40 Outfitters, Hoglands Western Wear, Vintage Western Wear, Blue Rose and others. The Russell Fashion Show hap- pens 1 to 3 p.m., Thurs., March 16, at the Mansfield Convention Center. The show is free and open to the public. VIP tables available are available to purchase, and will include appetizers and refreshments. Show proceeds will support educational programs at the C.M. Russell Museum. Rockin' the Range Fashion Review at The Russell Thursday, March 16, 2017 1p.m. – Mansfield Convention Center

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