Great Falls, MT
Heritage Inn, March 18-21
**Update: The Out West Art Show & Sale has been postponed. Click here for updates.
Colt Idol, Fall Prestige, oil, 30 x 54.
This story was featured in the March/April 2020 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art March/April 2020 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
THE OUT WEST ART Show & Sale is a can’t-miss event during Western Art Week in Great Falls, MT. Now in its 49th year, this lively, four-day affair includes an extensive display of fine artworks by 120 top western artists like Albin Veselka, Shanna Kunz, Elizabeth Robbins, and Colt Idol. But the show also boasts an action-packed lineup of entertaining activities, including Quick Draw competitions, auctions and raffle drawings, live music, and a cowboy-themed cocktail party. As executive director John Godwin puts it, “It’s a chance for everyone from all over the world to come experience Montana.”
It all kicks off on Wednesday, March 18, with a gala reception at 5 p.m. at the Heritage Inn in the heart of Great Falls. There, guests can peruse newly unveiled paintings and sculpture by the participating artists, each of whom showcases around 18 to 20 pieces. Their works, which remain on view through Saturday evening, are on display in individual rooms that the artists have transformed into art galleries, says Godwin. A signature piece by each artist is also on display and for sale in the hotel’s convention hall, where, he adds, “You’ll get an overview of the entire show.”
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- Robert Krogle, Circle of Life, oil, 20 x 16.
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- Whitney Weidow, Time Out With Dad, oil, 16 x 20.
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- Jan Fontecchio, Ready for the Night, oil, 24 x 24.
Directly after the opening reception, winners in a ticketed drawing called Postcards on the Prairie are announced, with each winner taking home an original, 5-by-7-inch sketch by one of the participating artists. “They are dynamite,” Godwin says of the postcard-size works. “Here in Charlie Russell country, people die for a napkin he scribbled on. This is like having a little part of an artist on a piece of paper.”
Works in the Montana Miniature Auction are also unveiled on opening night and remain on view until Saturday at 6 p.m., when winning bids are revealed. A winner is also announced that night in a raffle drawing for CIRCLE OF LIFE, an oil painting donated by artist Robert Krogle, with all ticket-sale proceeds going to Out West’s Young Masters Program. But for those who don’t plan to take an artwork home, there’s still plenty to see and do. On Thursday evening, for example, visitors can watch artists sketch Lewis and Clark reenactors during the Portage Route Honor Guard Posing. Every Out West event is free and open to the public. “Our goal is to draw a crowd and give them a memorable experience,” says Godwin. —Kim Agricola
contact information
www.outwestartshow.net
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- Tim Bluefint, Heritage, cedar/bronze/mixed media, 26 x 4 x 9.
This story was featured in the March/April 2020 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art March/April 2020 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
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