Art Impacts Parkinson’s Research
The quick finish returns to the Western Masters Art Show, on Saturday, March 17th at 3:30 p.m. Thirteen premier artists (listed below) will complete artworks as the audience looks on. This event is free to the public, and we look forward to seeing you there!
Click on the link to read an article in the Great Falls Tribune about sculptor Tim Joyner and his wonderful idea for raising money for his daughter’s class trip:
Tim Joyner's logo
Click to see Ron Ukrainetz's work
See page 60 on the link below to see our most recent advertisement. Tell us on Facebook if you see the ad while flying Alaska!
James Moore’s open studio tour during the Whidbey Open Studio Tour this weekend, Oct. 8-9! At 1088 Crockett Farm Rd., Coupeville WA, 98239.
See the link for some images of a new bronze from sculptor Tim Joyner, room 181 at the 2012 Western Masters Art Show!
Tim Joyner Bronze
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.168268429918745.43307.100002067671512&l=5725f29d88&type=1
On Friday the Great Falls Tribune published a front page article announcing that the C.M. Russell Museum Auction will return to the Best Western Heritage Inn and take place on the last day of the Western Masters Art Show & Sale, Saturday March 17th. WMAS is working closely with the Museum to help make the 2012 Western Art Week the biggest one yet! See below for a link to the PDF.
See below for an event report from the May 2011 issue of Western Art Collector Magazine:
Courtesy of Western Art Collector Magazine
Off the Wall Live Auction, Saturday night
The first annual Western Masters Art Show & Sale of Great Falls, Montana was a smashing success, bringing thousands of locals and visitors through the Best Western Heritage Inn for four days during Western Art Week. Countless artists exhibiting at the show praised the organization and energy of the directors and volunteers, while visiting patrons of the arts loved the variety and quality of premier Western art and the opportunity to visit with over 146 different artists in a studio environment. “People talked about the electricity in the air, something we hadn’t heard in many years,” said Mimi Grant, a long-time exhibitor at the show. Great Falls resident Brian Smith felt that “the artists seemed to be much more accessible and the atmosphere was far less intimidating.”
Collectors and artists mingle in a gallery room. All images courtesy of Jamie Gipe - Firefly Photography
The Off the Wall Live Auction netted a quarter-million dollars of sales, and every single item in the auction sold, mostly near or above the retail price. Rita Fitzsimmons, owner of Kalispell’s Designworks and award-winning graphic designer, declared, “The positive, buzzy energy and excitement of the Saturday night auctions was something I didn’t actually expect! It was wonderful to be there.” One hundred percent of the sales went to the artists, a split that is unprecedented in the art world.
Paul Dykman displays his work at the Off the Wall Auction on Saturday, March 19
Thirteen premier Western artists took part in the two-hour Quick Finish preceding the live auction, including Karen Vance, Brent Cotton, Carol Hagan and Nancy Dunlop Cawdrey. Fifty percent of every Quick Finish sale went directly to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, and several artists donated their part of the split in addition. When Charles Fritz, who has not participated in a quick draw in over 20 years, took the stage to auction his Quick Finish piece, he announced, “One of my collectors was so inspired by the effort to raise money for Parkinson’s research that he pledged to match the winning bid for the piece and donate it.” The artists’ and patrons’ generosity resulted in over $44,100 raised for the cause.
The artists participating in the 2011 Quick Finish event, including Charles Fritz
The crowd of over 700 people wait for Ree Drummond's speaking appearance
Exhibitor and artist Harry Koyama's model displays his finery
Ree Drummond of ThePioneerWoman.com with a young fan
January 24, 2011
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GREAT FALLS, MT – The Western Masters Art Show & Sale is Beginning a New Tradition at the Best Western Heritage Inn, March 16-19, 2011. This brand new show has attracted over 150 artists and galleries, many of whom are returning after exhibiting in this venue in the past. The show is completely filled and applications are still arriving. This new show will continue and expand this history of bringing many of the country’s premiere Western artists to Great Falls for Western Art Week.
Nationally known Montana artist Brent Cotton will be a first time exhibitor at the Best Western Heritage Inn. “I am very excited and honored to participate in the show in 2011. There is such a long list of very high quality and well-known artists who are attending. I really believe this will be a very successful show and a fun event. I am so looking forward to being in Great Falls in March,” stated Cotton.
Several local sponsors have supported the new show with large gifts of funds and services, most notably D.A. Davidson & Co. and Advanced Litho.
The exhibitors’ rooms at the Western Masters Art Show and Sale will be open all day from Wednesday evening through Saturday evening. Special events include a speaking appearance from Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond presented by the C.M. Russell Museum, a Quick Draw, the Off the Wall Auction, fun activities for all ages during the “community day” on Saturday, and (new this year) the Young Masters development program for promising high school art students.
Another new feature is the addition of the Village Shops, an exhibition area on the first floor with eight displays of juried folk and traditional artisans using various media to create fine jewelry, furniture, blown glass and art of all kinds.
Morgan Dunlop Cawdrey handles the day to day operations for the Western Masters Art Show and Sale. When asked how everything is progressing, he responded, “As Assistant Show Director, I am in contact with the participating artists on a daily basis. They have repeatedly expressed their enthusiasm for this new, artist-driven show by suggesting events they have never had an opportunity to try, and taking charge of exciting new programs like the Young Masters. It’s been a pleasure working with all these talented individuals and seeing their creativity every day.”
There will be many opportunities to get involved in the exhibition and auction. “We really need help from the Great Falls community,” Steve Cawdrey stated, “This show needs all the volunteers possible to organize the committees, help with the artist room tours, and assist with the numerous details for an event of this caliber. I hope the community will turn out to lend a hand.”
