Coeur d’Alene Art Auction Sets New Record
Capacity crowds attended the 20th annual Coeur d’Alene Art Auction held in July at the Hilton Reno Resort and Casino in northern Nevada. Following more than four hours of spirited bidding, final tallies approached $27.4 million in total sales, up from a record $21 million last year. Over half of the lots sold exceeded presale estimates, and 12 artists set world auction sales records. The top lot, the eternal snows of mt. moran by Thomas Moran, earned more than $1.9 million, and the sole Frederic Remington painting for sale, titled an apache, sold to an anonymous telephone bidder for over $1.4 million. Howard Terpning’s work was also in high demand, with two of four lots passing the $1 million mark; Terpning’s search for the renegades earned over $1.4 million and rousing applause. Other notable sales included Diego Rivera’s vendedora de flores en xochimilco, which brought more than $1.2 million; Carl Rungius’ the family, which sold for $952,000; N.C. Wyeth’s two boys in a punt, which earned $896,000; John Clymer’s arrival of the trade wagons, rendezvous—1830, which topped out at $616,000; and Tom Lovell’s the iron shirt, which sold for $420,000.
Out & About
Wildlife sculptor Kent Ullberg recently installed his latest work, chub cay blue, an 18-foot blue marlin weighing over 3,000 pounds, at Chub Cay Harbor on the southernmost of the Berry Islands in the Bahamas…. The Houston Center for Contemporary Craft in Texas recently appointed Kristen Loden its new executive director…. Robert Coombs received the $10,000 grand prize for his figurative painting first leaves of autumn in the first annual RayMar Art Competition…. In July, 23-year-old Amanda Dunbar became the youngest inductee into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame for her work in the visual arts…. Christie’s International recently announced the launch of a new real-time, multi-media auction capability called Christie’s LIVE that allows users to virtually attend live auctions and bid remotely…. The Bush Foundation recently awarded three South Dakota-based Native artists, Viola Colombe (Modoc), Kevin Pourier (Oglala Lakota), and Dwayne Wilcox (Oglala Lakota), with art fellowships of close to $50,000 each.
Telluride Plein Air Show Results
More than 30 artists painted on location in Telluride, CO, as part of the eight-day Telluride Plein Air event 
in July. The annual celebration, hosted by the Sheridan Arts Foundation, is a community event benefiting the historic Sheridan Opera House in Telluride. Participating artists were invited to take part in the annual Quick Draw, exhibition, and sale events. Charles Muench received Best of Show and the Artist’s Choice Award for his oil painting light in the alley at the silent auction and gala reception held at the Sheridan Opera House on July 2. Commenting on his work, Muench says, “The basic concepts of painting are relatively simple to comprehend. The subtle variations, which have enticed and challenged great minds throughout history, are what fuel my fire…. In putting pigment on canvas, I strive for the same honesty and trueness of a Johnny Cash song.”
Altermann Western Art Auction Results
Altermann Galleries & Auctioneers held its Western Art auction on July 8 at the Eldorado Hotel in Santa Fe, NM. More than 170 artworks were included in the auction, with paintings by distinguished artists like Joseph Sharp, Joe Beeler, Bob Kuhn, John Moyers, Frederic Remington, William Acheff, Charlie Dye, and Andy Warhol. Top lots included sundown in the canyon by Gerard Curtis Delano, which earned $115,000; Dean Cornwell’s portrait, which topped out at $71,500; Frank C. McCarthy’s the whirlwind, which sold for $66,700, and before the dawn, which sold for $63,250; in the valley of the san juan by Paul Calle, which sold for $57,500; Kenneth Riley’s blood brother, E.I. Couse’s moonlight—the home camp, and John Moyers’ pueblo council, which each earned $55,200; and M.C. Poulsen’s ancient echoes, which sold for $51,750.
Featured in October 2006