Page 6 - 2019 Russell Catalogue

Welcome
to The Russell 2019 What stories will you take home from The Russell this year?
Charlie Russell loved to tell a good tale. Whether written in a letter, illustrated in a painting, or humorously told among friends in his studio, sharing his stories of the American West was Charlie’s passion and proved integral to his life’s work.
For over half a century, The Russell auction has provided an opportunity to connect with one another through Charlie's focus on the Art and Soul of the American West. When these amazing stories are shared, they truly become a part of us all.
Each of us is sure to have many memorable moments during Western
Art Week. Besides the always exciting auction outcomes, I hope that you will recall new friendships made and inspiring words spoken. These three days are a unique time when we find common ground and all are welcome. As Charlie so fittingly once wrote....
“My Lodge is yours—The robe is spread and the pipe lit for you.”
Whether this is your first or your fifty-first time here, as it is for The Russell auction founder Norma Ashby, the artists, collectors, sponsors, volunteers, and staff all have a story to share. Please do visit the Skull Society Suites and ask an artist you admire such as Steve Seltzer how he came to be a painter at The Russell or for the story or germ of the idea behind a work that you love. Strike up a conversation at any event with someone who looks new. Perhaps you will chance upon a young bull rider who sold his truck on the way to the auction to purchase his first piece of Western art. That actually happened just last year, as our executive director, Tom Figarelle, recounted before his deployment in service to the nation!
I also hope you will share what brought you to Great Falls, the home of Charlie Russell.
I suspect that among the most interesting stories this year will be those shared in the reopened and meticulously restored Russell House and Studio. Thank you to so many of you who stepped up to support our Raise the Roof campaign ensuring that this would be a first-class program. Can you imagine if those walls could talk? Just lean on the porch railing where Charlie spun his yarns and imagine being greeted at that front door to negotiate for a painting. We are so humbled and yet inspired to be the stewards of the Russells’ legacy for future generations.
By the time you are reading this message, I will be in the final stages of wrapping up my service as chairman of the C.M. Russell Museum Board of Directors. I have thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to serve and am especially pleased to have you know that a distinguished Montana citizen, Jim Peterson, will soon be assuming this role. As a former leader in the state legislature, Jim’s leadership experience, dedication, and creativity augur well for our beloved institution’s continuing progress.
I hope our paths cross during this amazing Western Art Week, and I look forward to so many of us being a part of each other’s stories in 2019.
Sincerely,
Tom Petrie
Chairman, Board of Directors
Welcome, Friends,