The CM Russell Museum and it’s Art Auction - We attended the CM Russell art auction and viewing party on Thursday night prior to Friday and Saturday’s auction. Friday morning allowed us more free time to explore the museum. Having never been there before we were both impressed. Besides historical works, and Russell home and studio there was Contemporary Western Art as well Historical Art on consignment. The staff, volunteers and management were knowledgeable and friendly.Food and drinks were provided to the guests as well as a good opportunity to meet other artists and see their work. Prior to the auction event, the museum exhibits all of the work for one month. The work must be juried in by a selection committee and a quite reasonable commission is used to help fund the gallery’s operating cost for the year. Tickets for specific events are purchased by museum supporters or given to participating artists. The Russell also offers a guest lecturer symposium during Saturday morning for free. Due to travel constraints we were unable to stay as long as we would have liked. The museum is a mainstay of the community and something Montanans are proud of. The Russell Art Auction is the event of the season in Great Falls.

Great Art Gallery - This is a very fine display of western art and the life of Charles M. Russell and his wife including their home and his art studio log cabin . You need to stay around 3 hours to see the most of it.

Wonderful Western Artist: Learn his story! - My late beloved husband David & I had planned to come to Great Falls just to visit this museum. He would have loved this so much! You can actually buy your ticket online through Trip Advisor; however, if you’re age 60+, there’s a senior discount which doesn’t show, so be aware of that. The museum is open 10 am to 5 pm every day, & it is very well-thought out in its design. When you check in at the gift shop entry, they give you a map: Use it! It helps direct you through the story & events of Charlie Russell’s life, & is well worth it. Each gallery also is labeled, up on the wall by the ceiling, so if you feel a little lost, you can always check it against the map to know exactly where you are… My best suggestion is to follow the map & read the major events which shaped his life & therefore, his art! He was a very thoughtful man, & so gifted. If it hadn’t been for his amazing life partner, who turned out to be a fantastic business manager, he might not have become nearly as well-known for his work, which captured a vanishing age, especially here in Montana. To discover that a book his father read to him as a young boy fired his imagination to love the West & to go to Montana is a tribute not only to his father, but also, to how powerful a force loving to read can be! After you complete the galleries & the lower level, you’ll be ready to visit the Russell studio & home! Both are quite charming. I took my time, focusing mostly on everything about Charles M. Russell in his museum, & I spent about 2 hours in the main museum. The studio & home together afterward were about a half hour. Enjoy your visit!

Well Worth the Visit - This is a first class museum. We were very impressed with such a beautiful and well designed facility. The exhibits were well thought out, and made sense of the artists growth. There are a number of exhibits and programs throughout the lower levels of the museum. One doesn't expect such a large well built and well appointed museum in a medium sized city off the beaten path. Kudos!

Terrific documentation of Russell and other western artists - I have been a fan of western U.S. art for many years. However, it took until today for my wife and I to visit this site commemorating Charlie Russell's iconic artistic career and life. The museum covers Russell's work and the work of other historic and contemporary artists of the American and Canadian west. It also features an excellent exhibition on the role of bison in western American history and culture. This site also includes Russell house and studio while emphasizing the absolutely critical role his wife Nancy played in ensuring his stature and success. This is essential visiting for anyone interested in western U.S. history and art. Since the museum us in a residential neighborhood, you'll need to allow time to drive to find a place to eat lunch then return. Allow several hours to properly appreciate this experience!

Better Help with Ticket Chices - Great museum! Doing it on line I did not have the choice to buy senior ticket price. So… that was disappointing, ever little bit helps. Highly recommend the museum.

If you have any interest in western art.... - ... then the C.M. Russell Museum is an absolute must. Next to Remington, Russell is the biggest name in Western art, and he may well be the better artist. In addition to the quality art viewing (full disclosure, some key pieces are likely to be out at any given time), you will also get insight into Russell's life and how the changing west influenced his art. The museum also has a solid collection of other Western art.

Worth the Wait - We arrived at the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana to revisit one of my favorite art museums. Russell's paintings are beautiful and capture the history and heart of the West. His paintings tell a story and so it's important to have plenty of time to enjoy his work and the other artists and historical exhibits at the museum. When we arrived there were 38 adults standing and talking in front of the Russell Museum. We had booked our ticked over Trip Advisor which was great. However, when we entered the museum was having difficulty checking the tour group of 38 in. We waited and then I approached the desk and said we had prebooked. Behind the desk, they were very nice and said even though they had the print out of our booking we still had to be checked in. So we waited. When they finally advised the group of 38 to enter and said they would get their tickets coordinated while they were touring, they checked us in. The C.M. Russell Museum is such a wonderful experience and the gift shop is great. The staff was very courteous but I think they need to have a liason for large groups.

Must see - very interesting, and informative. I enjoyed the artwork. Stunning that he did these 150 years ago using oils

Should have called ahead to see what would actually be on display. - Unfortunately, we visited just after the big fund raising auction for which what appears to have been the majority of the permanent exhibit was temporarily removed to free up space for the auction. Have been there several times before and was taken back seeing the many empty walls. That said, there were enough (barely) Russell works to see along with the studio and home. Seeing Russell's art in person is a whole different experience.