Ansel Adams: Masterworks

Featured Exhibition: This exhibition features 47 iconic photographs by Ansel Adams, selected by the artist himself as the finest representation of his life’s work. Showcasing his masterful eye for light, detail, and composition, the collection includes many of his most celebrated landscapes alongside striking studies of nature, architecture, and portraiture. Together, these images capture the beauty and grandeur of the natural world that made Adams one of America’s most influential photographers.

PHOTO:  Ansel Adams (1902–1984), Photograph by James Alinder

Beyond the Vault

Featured Exhibition: Beyond the Vault: Staff Picks from the CMRM Permanent Collection showcases favorite works from the museum’s permanent collection selected by staff members. Excluding works by Charles M. Russell, each piece was chosen for its personal significance, revealing the stories, interests, and connections that make these artworks meaningful. This unique exhibition offers visitors a fresh perspective on often overlooked treasures from the collection.

David Bradley, Pueblo Feast Day, c. 2015, detail, acrylic on canvas, 2019.1.1

Unsettled Lands

Featured Exhibition: Unsettled Lands by Manette Bradford reexamines familiar themes of the American West, exploring the relationship between landscape, identity, and Western mythology. Through watercolor, collage, and ceramic works rendered primarily in sepia tones, Bradford challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, heroism, and humanity’s connection to the land.

Manette Rene Bradford, Clarks Fork, watercolor, acrylic, paper collage on canvas

The Art of the Angle

Featured Exhibition: The Art of the Angle showcases 34 wood engravings from the Maclean Family Illustration Collection, inspired by three classic literary works: A River Runs Through It, Home Waters, and Big Two-Hearted River. Featuring the work of acclaimed artists Barry Moser, Wesley W. Bates, and Chris Wormell, the exhibition explores the connection between storytelling, illustration, and the landscapes that inspired these beloved books.

 

Tracing Russell

Featured Exhibition: Tracing Russell follows Charles M. Russell’s artistic journey through a remarkable collection of sketches spanning his life and career. From youthful drawings to accomplished works, the exhibition offers a rare glimpse into his creative process, revealing the evolution of his technique, storytelling, and enduring fascination with the American West.

Charles M. Russell (1864-1926), The Indian Guide, c. 1880, pencil on paper, The Petrie Collection

The Russell Legacy Galleries

Permanent Exhibition: The Russell Legacy Galleries honor Tom and Jane Petrie for their lifelong commitment to collecting and preserving art of the American West. A Collector’s Vision features works from their private collection, donated or lent to the museum, spanning the full range of Charles M. Russell’s subjects and media. Together, the gallery offers a comprehensive look at Russell’s legacy through the lens of dedicated collectors who helped share his work with the public.

Charles M. Russell (1864-1926), The Kindergarten, detail, 1890, oil on canvas, On loan from the Petrie Collection L2022.5.1

Before the Cowboy Artist

Permanent Exhibition: Before the Cowboy Artist explores Charles M. Russell’s early artistic development, from his childhood in St. Louis through the early 1900s. Featuring his early works, the exhibition traces the evolution of his style and the influences that shaped his vision of the American West, offering insight into the foundations of his legacy as Montana’s “Cowboy Artist.”

Charles M. Russell (1864-1926), Charles M. Russell on Horseback, detail, 1917, paper and emulsion, Gift of Richard Flood II, 975-12-0229

Inventing the West & Manufacturing the World

Permanent Exhibition: Inventing the West & Manufacturing the World explores the central role firearms played in shaping life in the American West and the industries that grew around them. At its core is the Browning family, whose innovations helped redefine firearm design and influence global manufacturing and culture. The exhibition also considers how firearms shaped public memory and enduring myths of the Old West.

O.C. Seltzer: From the Mountain to the Prairie

Permanent Exhibition: Olaf Carl Seltzer (1877-1957), though Danish-born, became defined by the American West after settling in Great Falls, Montana, in 1892. Inspired by the region’s rich history and his railroad travels, Seltzer’s art captures a changing West. Explore his works, his friendship with C.M. Russell, his technique, and even his bug collection!

Olaf Carl Seltzer (1877-1957), The Outpost, oil on canvas, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Gordon, 977-1-15

Tales from the Saddle: Come Ride Along

Permanent Exhibition: The C.M. Russell Museum, in partnership with the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame, presents Tales from the Saddle: Come Ride Along, an interactive gallery exploring the evolving West, where the horse remained a constant. Future exhibits will highlight pioneer women, diverse cultures, and changing Western ways of life.

Charles M. Russell (1864-1926),
Breaking Camp. 1897, watercolor and graphite, Group of Great Falls Businessmen, 956-4-1

The Josephine Trigg Collection

Permanent Exhibition: The Josephine Trigg Collection showcases the Trigg family’s lifetime collection of Charles Russell’s gifts, including drawings, poems, letters, watercolors, oils, and sculptures, along with personal items. The exhibition covers the Trigg family’s history, their relationship with the Russells, and the creation of the CMRM complex and Trigg gallery.

Charles M. Russell (1864-1926), Stolen Horses, 1911, oil on board, Gift of the Josephine Trigg Estate, 953-1-004

Bison: American Icon, Heart of Plains Indian Culture

Permanent Exhibition: Bison: American Icon, Heart of Plains Indian Culture explores the profound connection between the bison and the peoples of the Northern Plains through more than 1,000 artifacts, including clothing, regalia, tools, weapons, and artwork. Spanning over two centuries, this permanent exhibition examines the bison’s enduring cultural, historical, and symbolic importance in the American West.

The Russell Home & Studio

Permanent Exhibition: The C.M. Russell Museum offers a rare opportunity to step into the world of Charles M. Russell. Visitors can explore Russell’s original log studio, where many of his most celebrated works were created, and tour the home he shared with his wife, Nancy, whose vision helped preserve his legacy. Together, these historic spaces provide an intimate look at the artist’s daily life, creative process, and enduring impact on the American West.

The Russell Riders Sculpture Garden

Permanent Exhibition: Explore the American West in three dimensions through the Russell Riders Sculpture Garden, an outdoor collection of monumental bronze sculptures set throughout the museum grounds. Featuring striking depictions of western wildlife and landscapes, the garden creates a unique connection between art, nature, and Montana’s heritage.