Russell Auction Makes Art-Full Week In Great Falls

Happy birthday, Charlie! Legendary western artist Charles M. Russell would have turned 131 years old this month, and he’d have loved the party honoring him this week in Great Falls, Mont.

The 27th C.M. Russell Auction of Original Western Art is set for Wednesday through Saturday at the Heritage Inn at Great Falls, Russell’s adoptive home town.

A well-organized schedule of parties, seminars, entertainment and “Quick Draw” events - not to mention top-grade auction lots - make this art sale one of the best in the country.

Last year’s auction grossed more than $680,000, and the top sale was $75,000 for a Russell watercolor, “Return from the Hunt.”

Since 1969, the event has raised more than $7 million, with nearly $2 million going to the C.M. Russell Museum.

Featured artworks on the block this year include paintings by O.C. Seltzer, J.H. Sharp and Russell. Some 250 lots will be auctioned during the Friday and Saturday sessions.

A number of free activities are built into the schedule, but others are ticketed. Tickets cost $100 and cover admission to all the activities during the four-day span. Call the GFAF office for more information: 1-800-803-3351.