For three days in late March, the annual Out West Art Show returns to Great Falls, Montana, for a stellar showcase of Western artworks during the popular Western Art Week.Festivities are hosted in the exhibit rooms of the Heritage Inn, boasting more than 80 top Western artists from across the country. Not only do they showcase incredible masterpieces, but they also demonstrate their skills during daily quick-finish events.
Artist Rick Kennington finishes his painting at a quick-finish event.
The event’s executive director, Chip Jones, shares, “With 43 Out West artists also participating in the legendary C.M. Russell Auction(held alongside the show at the Heritage Inn), you will find their high-quality work a few steps away. We have a balance of mediums and Western topics represented, such as traditional oil painting, contemporary wildlife, bronze sculpture and so much more.”
Artists participate at last year’s event.
Jones adds that during the quick-finish demonstrations each day, with 12 different artists at each event, “We encourage visitors to sit up close and chat with the artists as they complete a work for the auction, which follows directly afterwards. We hope visitors are inspired by the various conversations with these amazing [artists]. The opportunity to see so many high-quality, Western and wildlife artists in one place is rare, so we hope collectors also bring their family and friends to share in the experience.”
Josh LaBenne, Hidden Ones, oil on linen, 30 x 48 in.
New members have been added to the 2025 show, such as the talents of David Frederick Riley and Jason Tako. Collector’s will also see Russell Skull Society Members participating, like Gary Lynn Roberts and Nancy Dunlop Cawdrey.
Additional artists, like Josh LaBenne, feature wonderful and engaging pieces, like his oil on linen piece Hidden Ones,depicting a bear and her cubs. LaBenne explains of the piece, “A mother bear is often seen as one of nature’s most devoted parents. Her drive to safeguard her cubs is profound, showing a blend of nurturing and fierce determination. When danger approaches, a mother bear will instinctively position herself between her cubs and the threat. In this intimate relationship, one can see a testament to the power of maternal love—an unyielding force determined to protect, nurture and prepare the next generation.”
Summer Spitsbergen, Golden Hour, oil on panel, 16 x 20 in.
Another artist to watch for is the talented Mary Ann Cherry, who also finds wildlife to be the most appealing subject matter, but admits it can be the most challenging. “Painting wildlife in oil captures the raw beauty of nature, blending rich textures and vibrant colors to bring each creature to life with depth and emotion,” she says. Each animal has an individual personality, and she succeeds in capturing a bit of their spirit in works like Lynx with a Hint of Petroglyphs and Homeschooling.
Mary Ann Cherry, Homeschooling, oil, 24 x 36 in.
Find these pieces and so much more at the 2025 Out West Art Show opening Thursday, March 20. Each day includes a quick-finish event/demonstration that will conclude with a live auction of the pieces created durin the session. The show and events will close on Saturday, March 22. Please view the website for the event schedule, tickets and additional information. —
Mary Ann Cherry, Lynx with a Hint of Petroglyphs, oil, 24 x 36 in.
Out West Art Show
Heritage Inn1700 Fox Farm Drive, Great Falls, Montana 59404
(406) 590-7071, www.owas.online
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