At the close of the 44th Annual Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale (BBAS), bidders raised their paddles for more than $1.4 million in artwork sales between the weekend’s live auction, quick draw and silent auction events. 

The party venue, a sprawling party tent temporarily constructed in the parking lot at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, was packed with over 600 auction guests. More than 90% of pieces available sold on stage, including a few vigorouous bidding wars as the night went on. 

Krystii Melaine, who also received the People’s Choice award chosen by visitors to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, saw her striking oil portrait of a wolf bid up to $29,900 after added buyer’s premium. The piece, entitled “Guardian of the Wilderness” was estimated to bring in approximately $12,000, less than half its final sale price. 

Santiago Michalek, whose oil painting of a Pony Express rider handing a satchel to the conductor of a moving locomotive, was another top seller for the auction. “A Matter of Utmost Urgency” brought in $48,875 with buyer’s premium after receiving the Spirit of the Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale Award, sponsored by The Collier Group, earlier this year. 

Award-winning artwork tended to bring in high bids throughout the night, as John Potter’s oil “We Three Chiefs” went for $14,950 after premium (it was estimated to bring $10,000). Potter’s painting, winner of the Two-Dimensional Award sponsored by Mercedes-Benz of Billings, features a group of native chiefs overlooking a camp of tipis on the land where Cody now stands.

The highest sale price of the night came when Kevin Red Star’s acrylic “Crow Indians Small War Party” demanded $57,500 with added buyer’s premium. 

Saturday morning’s quick draw event featured 29 BBAS artists who, in only 90 minutes, created original pieces of artwork while more than 600 attendees observed the process. Artists  showed their newly completed artwork on the runway and bidders snapped up all 29 pieces, as  well as an artist’s apron signed by the artists. Energy was palpable throughout the quick draw auction, with the highest sales in several years for this popular and lively event. 

Participating sculptors will cast multiple editions of their quick draw bronze pieces for numerous buyers. Between five sculptors, a total of 52 bronze multiples were sold in the auction. Sculptor Dustin Payne drew a big laugh from the audience when he announced that his newly created sculpture of a mule would be entitled “My Daddy Was an Ass.” Auctioneer Troy Black subsequently sold 18 copies of the bronze for $1,380 each, including buyer’s premium. 

“This event is really made possible every year by a great coalition of local supporters and generous patrons who travel to Cody just for this week," said Jennifer Thoma, CEO of the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce. "To every artist, patron, partner, sponsor, employee, vendor and volunteer, thank you for your incredibly generous contributions that led  to another successful Art Show & Sale.”

Organized by the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce, the Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale  strives to support established and emerging Western artists, engage patrons of the arts, and enliven the Cody community with events that provide education and entertainment. The proceeds from sales and events benefit the artists, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Cody Country Chamber of Commerce, and local arts organizations. 

Visit buffalobillartshow.org for more information.