Tom Petrie on Charlie Russell

For 53 years, The Russell Exhibition & Sale has been a staple of the Western art world. The premiere fundraiser for the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana, The Russell offers consigned major historic and contemporary Western artworks for sale. This year, The Russell returns with incredible artwork, in a new location, the Montana ExpoPark in Great Falls, from August 18 through 21 and introduces ‘The Suites at The Russell’ which features more than 100 artists displaying miniature galleries to showcase and sell their work.

Tom Petrie is a former chairman of the C.M. Russell Museum Board of Directors and is currently co-chair, along with Gene Thayer , of the Art & Soul campaign for the museum which has already exceeded its goal before its scheduled end in December. Petrie also is co-editor with Brian Dippie of the recently published book, “Back-Tracking in Memory, The Life of Charles M. Russell, Artist.’’ This is Nancy Russell’s memoir of her husband, Charlie.

Many smaller pieces from Petrie’s personal collection of Russell’s paintings are included in the C. M. Russell Museum’s current exhibition titled Modest Yet Masterful: Small Scale Masterworks by Charles M Russell, which will be on display through September. We caught up with Petrie when the exhibition opened at the museum in March.

Read the full article in the July/August 2022 issue.