Ticket sales lower, still brisk
As the 41st annual C.M. Russell Art Auction draws near, advance ticket sales earlier last week indicated a drop from last year's record-breaking numbers.
"We're doing pretty well, but we're down from last year," Sara Becker said. "We're still going to have a really good crowd."
Becker serves as executive director of the Great Falls Advertising Federation, the group that founded the famous benefit for the C.M. Russell Museum. The event runs Wednesday through Saturday.
Headquartered at the Best Western Heritage Inn, the Russell benefit features live auctions on Friday and Saturday, more than 100 exhibitors selling art, seminars and multiple parties. Numerous other art shows take place at other hotels and exhibition facilities in Great Falls.
"It's basically four days of Western hospitality and Western art," Becker said. "We've got a really nice mix of free events and ticketed events."
While advance ticket sales lagged, she said the phone calls and e-mails continued to pour in at the last minute. Becker said interest was up in absentee bidding, indicating Western collectors may buy even if they don't attend.
"Art is a strong investment and probably one of the best now," she said. "The value is there and it's going to appreciate."
In past years, about 800 people spent $100 and up just to get in the door of the live auctions. Becker said more than 5,000 art enthusiasts visited free exhibitor rooms and attended other events at the Heritage Inn.
Free activities abound across Great Falls including:
n Contway and Friends Show, Four Seasons Arena Exhibition Hall, Montana ExpoPark, with sculptures, paintings, drawings and other Western artwork.
n Western Heritage Artist Association Art Show, Holiday Inn, with all forms of art, seminars and quick-finish art projects and auction.
n Great Falls Native American Art Show, Civic Center's Mansfield Center for the Performing Arts convention center, with art from more than 50 Native American artists.
Over the years, the federation, known as the ad club, has raised millions for the museum and remains an important source of revenue. Becker said more than 200 volunteers work together to put on the Western art show. The group stepped up promotion around Montana in an effort to bump up attendance during this time of economic woes.
"Over 41 years, we've seen our share of ups and downs," she said. "We've weathered this before."
Call (800) 803-3351 or consult the Web site cmrauction.com for more.