2022 Permanent Collection Acquisitions

The Yellowstone Art Museum is continuously growing the permanent collection through generous gifts and museum purchases. All acquisitions build the museum’s collection of modern and contemporary art from the Mountain West region. In 2022, the YAM accepted 110 exceptional works of art into the permanent collection. A selection of those artworks is included here.

In early 2022, Carla O’Rorke, long-time supporter of the Yellowstone Art Museum, gifted twenty-five objects from her private collection. Works by some of Montana’s most influential artists date from the late 1990’s to early 2000’s. Several of these artworks are currently displayed in the exhibition The Montana Modernist: Shifting Perspectives.

left image: Frances Senska, Bird Sculptures, not dated, Glazed ceramic, 3.5 x 2.5 x 4 inches, Gift of Carla Phelps Phelps O’Rorke in memory of James F. O’Rorke, Jr.

left bottom image: John Giarrizzo, Carousal Study 4, 1998, Oil on canvas, 12 x 12 inches, Gift of Carla Phelps Phelps O’Rorke in memory of James F. O’Rorke, Jr.

bottom image: Gennie DeWeese, Snow Scene, 1998, Oil stick on canvas, 32 x 70 inches, Gift of Carla Phelps Phelps O’Rorke in memory of James F. O’Rorke, Jr.

Similarly, works gifted from the collection of Ossie Abrams and David Orser, strong supporters of the YAM, strengthen the museum’s permanent collection of prominent artists, Kevin Red Star and Sheila Miles, among others.

top left image: Kevin Red Star, Kingfisher, 2000, Hand-colored lithograph, 34.25 x 45.25 inches, Gift of Ossie Abrams and David Orser.

top right image: Sheila Miles, 2 Houses, 1989, Mixed media, 22 x 29.5 inches, Gift of Ossie Abrams and David Orser.

The museum also purchased work in 2022. The YAM Board of Trustees funded the purchase of American Fork No. 10 by Sandra Dal Poggetto in September. This addition strengthens the museum’s representation of Dal Poggetto’s abstract works of the American West. Following the exhibition, Jesse Albrecht & Sean Chandler: The Un-homecoming of Uncle Dirty and Jimmy Cardell, the YAM purchased works by both Albrecht and Chandler. These works offer complex perspectives as expressions of unheard experiences relating to generational trauma and the effects of war. These acquisitions — and others added in 2022 — enhance the museum’s ability to tell the visual stories of the region and the broader world.

Bottom left image: Jesse Albrecht, Culture Killer Killer Culture (It’s a Trap (Jonah’s Tomb)), Underglaze, decals, glaze on low-fire clay, 17 x 9 inches, Museum purchase.

Bottom right image: Sean Chandler, Going On, Under, and Over the Golden Gate, 2022, Oil, oil paint stick, and charcoal on canvas, 72 x 170 inches, Museum purchase.

February 2 – March 5, 2023

The Yellowstone Art Museum announces the 55th annual Yellowstone Art Auction! Art Auction 55 will spotlight the artwork of our regional artists, up-and-coming talent, and inspire patrons who are beginning their collections.

The Art Auction 55 exhibition will be on display in the YAM’s galleries from Thursday, February 2 through Sunday, March 5. This year’s auction will feature several events and artist talks. Artist talks will take place on Thursday evenings during the run of the exhibition. Final sales and our closing celebrations will take place the weekend of Friday, March 3. More details on the surrounding events, ticketing, and bidding registration can be found on the YAM’s website and social media.

Bidding will be online and accessible to all wishing to participate through the YAM’s website: artmuseum.org.

The YAM will once again host a separate gala and live art auction in September.

The Art Auction raises crucial support for the exhibitions and educational programs that the Yellowstone Art Museum presents to the community year-round. The YAM is dedicated to showing our appreciation to our regional artists, patrons, and partners by giving back to the community, not only through outreach and education programs, but by bringing in exhibitions that provide a platform to engage in critical conversations concerning modern art and culture.

Stay up to date and get your tickets by visiting the auction webiste at artmuseum.org/engage/yellowstone-art-auction or scan the QR code: