At the close of the 45th Annual Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale (BBAS), bidders raised their paddles for over $1.3 million in artwork sales between the weekend’s Live Auction, Quick Draw and Silent Auction events. 

Friday’s Live Auction on Sept. 18 brought in just over $1 million with buyer’s premium. Of 107 lots offered, 96 sold, for a sell-through rate of nearly 90%. The temporary tent outside the Buffalo Bill Center of the West was full, with more than 600 registered patrons attending each event. 

During the Live Auction, a widespread power outage across the City of Cody cut power to the venue for about 45 minutes. Backup generators kept the auction moving with limited systems and lighting, and the impact on the auction itself was minimal. 

All prices below are final prices realized. Dustin Payne’s bronze “Last Stand at the O.K. Corral” (25-by-35-by-15 inches) achieved the highest price of the Live Auction at $31,625. Tucker Smith’s  oil “High Plains Nimbus” (20-by-24 inches) followed at $31,050, the top price for a two dimensional work. Maeve Eichelberger’s “Statuesque,” a hand-formed and etched acrylic  sculpture with handmade silver and turquoise (46-by-25-by-24 inches), sold for $28,750. 

Four works tied at $25,875: Krystii Melaine’s oil “The Last Wilderness” (30-by-24 inches), which sold for nearly double its $13,000 estimate; Thomas Kegler’s oil “Valley of the Giants, Romans 15:13” (24-by-48 inches); Max Werner’s acrylic “Approaching Hidden Creek” (30.5-by-38 inches); and Santiago Michalek’s large oil “Treaty of Friendship” (72-by-48 inches).

Kegler, who received the Spirit of the Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale Award, sponsored by The Collier Group, as well as the People’s Choice Award in the main exhibition, had a strong week across all sales. He was also the top seller at Saturday morning’s Quick Draw event on Sept. 19, where his newly created piece brought $19,550. 

The Quick Draw, one of the show’s most popular and lively events, featured 32 BBAS artists who, in only 90 minutes, created original pieces of artwork while more than 650 registered patrons watched the creative process unfold up close. Artists showed their newly completed  artwork on the runway and bidders snapped up all 32 pieces, as well as an artist’s apron signed by all participating artists. Ann Hanson received the Quick Draw People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Black Hills Energy. 

“We are so grateful to BBAS staff, the staff at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, and to every patron in the tent for their patience and quick thinking when the power went out,” said Jennifer Thoma, executive director of the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce. “Everyone handled it well, and the impact on the auction itself was minimal. To every artist, patron, partner, sponsor, employee, vendor, and volunteer, thank you for your generous contributions 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.