Thank you for making The Russell 2012 a success!

Click Here to Download Auction Results

 The Russell: The Sale to Benefit the C.M. Russell Museum is a fine art exhibition and three day fundraising event. Through supporting events and materials, The Russell provides an educational component for the public and allows the Russell Museum to become a more financially stable institution in order to carry out its mission. Western Art Week has been taking place in Great Falls, Montana, since 1969. 

The third annual The Russell was held March 15–17, 2012. Three auctions containing 284 lots were a smashing success thanks to Russell board, staff, and volunteers and participating artists, collectors, consignors, and patrons. 

 2012 Events

 
The Russell Silent Auction and Preview

Activities begin Thursday evening with a silent auction of fine art, objects, and unique travel experiences. Art that will be sold at the Saturday live auction will also be available for viewing. Appetizers, hosted refreshments, and the opportunity to meet new friends will all be a part of the Western hospitality people will receive while at the world-famous C.M. Russell Museum. 

Art in Action

This exciting variation of a traditional artist’s “quick draw” features 26 nationally known artists working in a variety of media.  The Art in Action quick finish event gives artists several hours to finish a piece of art while interacting with the crowd. The event includes brunch, hosted mimosas and Bloody Marys, musical entertainment, and a live auction to sell the finished works of art. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale are donated to the museum by participating artists. 

  The Russell Live Auction

The culmination of the weekend is a Saturday evening live auction of top quality historic and contemporary Western art.  Patrons attending this gala enjoy appetizers and hosted refreshments in a spacious, elegant setting. This is an exciting opportunity for both first-time and experienced art buyers to compete for one of a kind pieces. 

 2012 Seminars

Karl Bodmer Seminar

The 2012 Russell exhibition and sale featured stunning aquatints by Swiss-born artist Karl Bodmer (1809–1893). Saturday morning, the museum presented a free seminar highlighting Bodmer’s influence on other artists, his importance in documenting the Northern Plains Indians, and his influence on the young Charles Russell. Featured speaker was Prix de West artist Andrew Peters.

 Montana Western Heritage Seminar

Founded to educate students on shooting sports using authentic firearms, the Montana Western Heritage Project has evolved into a program that uses authentic clothing, tools, and firearms to inspire young people to explore the history of the West on their own. This seminar focuses on the artifacts of the American Frontier from 1860-1900, including guns, hats, period clothing, rifles, and much more. During the presentation, personal artifacts of Charles Russell’s from the museum’s collection were be showcased. This seminar acts as a perfect primer for anyone interested in the authentic American West including history enthusiasts, educators, students, cowboy shooters, and historical interpreters.