2019-03-01 Western Art Collector

Auction Preview

Montana Mainstay

The 32nd annual March in Montana features more than 700 lots of

paintings and sculpture, cowboy collectibles and Native American art.

F

or the past 31 years, March in Montana

has been a must attend event in Great

Falls during the famed Western Art

Week when collectors from all parts of the

country gather to not only celebrate the birthday

of Charles M. Russell but also participate in

sales, exhibitions and paint outs. This year’s 32nd

annual March in Montana will happen March

21 to 23 at the Great Falls Elks Lodge #214,

which is known for its ties to Russell.

The three-day dealer show is a highlight of

the event, with seven exhibitors—including

March in Montana partners Coeur d’Alene

Galleries and Coeur d’Alene Art Auction—

showcasing artwork, ephemera and more.

Patrons can visit the dealers March 21 to 23

from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The auction happens the

latter two days at 11 a.m.

“There will be over 700 lots, in which a

large percentage is paintings and sculpture

mostly historical,” says Ron Nicklas, of

Coeur d’Alene Galleries, which is partnering

with the sale for the first time. “There are

also weavings, Native American artifacts,

beadwork and cowboy collectibles. The

weavings this year are particularly strong.

We don’t have as many, but we have what

everyone feels is better quality.”

The fine art segment of the sale will be

led by Olaf C. Seltzer’s painting Trail of

the Diamond R, Great Divide, Montana,

which dates to around 1936. “That piece

was owned by the Great Falls Brewing

Company and was gifted to their president

when he retired in the late 1950s,” says

Nicklas. “The trail of the Diamond R was

incorporated in 1866 in Helena and ran

freight lines. It was most likely Montana’s

first transportation company.”

Collectors gather at the March in Montana dealer show and auction.

Guide to Collecting Western Art In

GreatFalls

MONTANA