ONGOING EXHIBITIONS 6

Sponsors: Karen Ferguson, The Will James Society, The Lloyd Shelhamer Memorial Endowment Conservation provided by: The Susan Scott Heyneman Foundation, Ted Waddell & Lynn Campion, Charles Nightengale, The Montana History Foundation Drawn from the Yellowstone Art Museum’s extensive permanent collection of Will James’ work, Women by Will features drawings, first edition books, and memorabilia depicting women and girls by Joseph Ernest Nephtali Dufault (1892 – 1942), a.k.a. Will James. More than 30 never-before-exhibited drawings depict cowgirls and rugged frontier women shooting rifles, riding broncs, posing on log fences, and strolling down city streets by the celebrated author and cowboy artist. These drawings, like all of James’ work, combine Western myth with the artist’s personal experience. Will’s male characters are often based on his own likeness: high cheekbones, square jaw, and prominent nose. Many of the women are based on his wife Alice. They met when she was 15 and married one year later, in 1920. Alice was smitten. She gently prodded him to go to art school, to write down his stories, and devote himself to making art. The original drawings from the 1932 book, Uncle Bill: A Tale of Two Kids and a Cowboy, follow the young wannabe cowgirl and boy, Scootie and Kip, as they learn to saddle, rope, and ride. Illustrations from the 1928 book Sand show a female rider steer her horse into a charging bull to protect a man on the ground. Others depict domestic scenes on the ranch: a woman in an apron and heels curries a horse, Alice and Bill watch a new foal take its first wobbly steps, and a cowgirl leans against a log fence modeling her fanciest western attire. Generous exhibition sponsors have enabled the YAM to photograph, catalog, and frame all of the work in the exhibition. Most of the work has never before been shown by the YAM.

Will James; Untitled; 1920; Graphite on paper; 22 1/2 x 16 3/4 inches; Yellowstone Art Museum Permanent Collection; Gift of Virginia Snook (VS1999.28).

A Russell Chatham Day

July 1, 2021 – January 23, 2022 // M.J. Murdock Gallery

Russell Chatham was a local legend in Livingston, MT, who found himself inspired by the area’s landscape, especially rainy mornings and hazy sunsets. These scenes became locally known as “Russell Chatham Days,” when the horizon line disappeared, and the sky and land become one ethereal plane. His work grew in popularity as he began making fine art prints, eventually becoming one of the world’s leading lithographers. The Missouri Headwaters series (Featured in this exhibition) was conceived by Chatham in 1985 as a way to expand upon his newly-acquired printing skills. The twelve lithographs portray the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin rivers at Three Forks, Montana, and roughly 10,000 square miles of the Missouri. According to Chatham, “Each print is designed to make a statement. Each month can more or less be distilled into a feeling or mood composed of what actually is at the moment, what has just passed, and what is to come.”

Russell Chatham; Missouri Headwaters Series — May; 1987; Stone lithograph; Gift of the artist (1987.19)

The most creative and awe-inspiring Halloween party in town, Masquerade at the YAM, is back this year for another night of entertainment, dancing, mystics and so much more! Be prepared to be wowed with live performances from Billings’ favorite synth-pop band Gilda House, the fabulous Magic City Glamour drag troupe, DJ Benefit, Billings Alternacirque and more. Guests will enjoy cocktails, local brews and creative appetizers by Raven’s Café D’Art.

We encourage attendees to let their creativity shine when considering their individual or group costumes by hosting the ultimate premier costume contest- and, yes, there will be prizes! This year’s Masquerade is lightly themed after the YAM’s upcoming exhibition, POP Power from Warhol to Koons: Masterworks from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation. The exhibition features iconic works from the Pop Art movement of the 1960s as well as their Neo-Pop Art counterparts. The theme is not required, but rather up for individual interpretation and subject to creativity.

You don’t want to miss this sell-out event at the Yellowstone Art Museum. Tickets available September 1st at artmuseum.org.

In order to continue combating COVID19, current guidelines state that all visitors to the YAM are required to wear masks on premises. Please check the YAM’s website and Facebook page for up-to-date changes.