American Bison are the iconic image of the Great Plains and the Old West. They are the heaviest land animals in North America.

Bison once covered the Great Plains and much of North America. During the 19th century, settlers killed some 50 million bison for food sport, and land management. The once enormous herds were reduced to only a few hundred animals. Today, bison numbers have rebounded, and about 200,000 bison live on preserves and ranches.

The Grand Tetons in Wyoming present a majestic backdrop that transforms with each season. In winter, snow blankets the jagged peaks, creating a haven for skiing and snowshoeing. Spring brings wildflower-covered meadows, while summer offers lush landscapes and an array of wildlife. As autumn arrives, golden aspen leaves contrast against the granite faces. This dynamic shift in the Tetons is not just a visual spectacle but also a testament to nature's ever-evolving canvas.

Widespread and familiar, the Great Blue Heron is the largest heron in North America. Often seen standing silently along inland rivers or lakeshores, or flying high overhead, with slow wingbeats, its head hunched back onto its shoulders.

In Wyoming, the species typically creates stick nests in colonies in trees, shrubs, or on the ground near water. To avoid ground predators, Great Blue Heron prefers to nest in swamps or on islands.

"Three Bears" was auctioned in The Russell: An Exhibition and Sale to Benefit the C.M. Russell Museum. The live auction took place on Saturday, March 21, 2015 in Great Falls, Montana.

The C.M. Russell Museum is one of the nation’s finest museums of American Western art and the home of the most complete collection of Russell art and memorabilia in the world.

The mission of the C.M. Russell Museum is to collect, preserve, research, interpret, and educate on the art and life of Charles M. Russell; the art and lives of his contemporaries; and the art of preceding and ensuing generations that depicts and focuses on the culture, life, and country of Russell’s West.

"Spirit of the Bison" was displayed in the Art in Embassies exhibition in Beijing, China.

For five decades, Art in Embassies (AIE) has played a leading role in U.S. public diplomacy through a focused mission of vital cross-cultural dialogue and understanding through the visual arts and dynamic artist exchange.

The Museum of Modern Art first envisioned this global visual arts program in 1953, and President John F. Kennedy formalized it at the U.S. Department of State in 1963.

"Best Friend" was the featured piece at the 2009 Ronald McDonald House Charities live auction event in Billings, Montana.

The event was held at White Aspen Ranch, recognized as central Montana’s premier equestrian center.

The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and wellbeing of children.

"Top of the Chain" was auctioned in The Russell: An Exhibition and Sale to Benefit the C.M. Russell Museum. The live auction took place on Saturday, March 16, 2019 in Great Falls, Montana.

The C.M. Russell Museum is one of the nation’s finest museums of American Western art and the home of the most complete collection of Russell art and memorabilia in the world.

The mission of the C.M. Russell Museum is to collect, preserve, research, interpret, and educate on the art and life of Charles M. Russell; the art and lives of his contemporaries; and the art of preceding and ensuing generations that depicts and focuses on the culture, life, and country of Russell’s West.

"Sioux" was auctioned in The Russell: An Exhibition and Sale to Benefit the C.M. Russell Museum.

The C.M. Russell Museum is one of the nation’s finest museums of American Western art and the home of the most complete collection of Russell art and memorabilia in the world.

The mission of the C.M. Russell Museum is to collect, preserve, research, interpret, and educate on the art and life of Charles M. Russell; the art and lives of his contemporaries; and the art of preceding and ensuing generations that depicts and focuses on the culture, life, and country of Russell’s West.

“Hot Streak” was auctioned in the Yellowstone Art Museum Auction in March 2017.

Every year, the Yellowstone Art Museum Auction raises crucial support for the exhibitions and educational programs that the Yellowstone Art Museum presents to the community year-round.

The YAM has achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition afforded the nation’s museums. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies, and to the museum-going public. Of the nation’s estimated 35,000 museums, only about 1,000 (fewer than 3%) are currently accredited. The YAM is one of seven museums accredited in Montana.

"Mustangs" was auctioned in The Russell: An Exhibition and Sale to Benefit the C.M. Russell Museum. The live auction took place in March 2016 in Great Falls, Montana.

The C.M. Russell Museum is one of the nation’s finest museums of American Western art and the home of the most complete collection of Russell art and memorabilia in the world.

The mission of the C.M. Russell Museum is to collect, preserve, research, interpret, and educate on the art and life of Charles M. Russell; the art and lives of his contemporaries; and the art of preceding and ensuing generations that depicts and focuses on the culture, life, and country of Russell’s West.

“Black Magic” is the first wolf subject of Koyama’s career.

A commissioned piece, the collector remarked, “The wildness and mystery of the black wolf… looks fantastic… we are just amazed with the beauty of your painting.”

Wolves once existed throughout Montana. Eradication and eventually poisoning began shortly after European settlement, and by the late-1930s no wolves were left.

In the early 1980s, wolves made their way back into Montana from Canada, and also began moving north and east into Montana from Wyoming and Idaho after wolf reintroduction in those states in 1995 and 1996.

“Undercurrent” was auctioned in the Yellowstone Art Museum Auction in March 2019.

Every year, the Yellowstone Art Museum Auction raises crucial support for the exhibitions and educational programs that the Yellowstone Art Museum presents to the community year-round.

The YAM has achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition afforded the nation’s museums. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies, and to the museum-going public. Of the nation’s estimated 35,000 museums, only about 1,000 (fewer than 3%) are currently accredited. The YAM is one of seven museums accredited in Montana.

"Black Thunder" was auctioned in The Russell: An Exhibition and Sale to Benefit the C.M. Russell Museum. The live auction took place in March 2018 in Great Falls, Montana.

The C.M. Russell Museum is one of the nation’s finest museums of American Western art and the home of the most complete collection of Russell art and memorabilia in the world.

The mission of the C.M. Russell Museum is to collect, preserve, research, interpret, and educate on the art and life of Charles M. Russell; the art and lives of his contemporaries; and the art of preceding and ensuing generations that depicts and focuses on the culture, life, and country of Russell’s West.

"American Legend" was auctioned in the Big Sky Auction for the Arts in February 29, 2020.

The annual Big Sky Auction for the Arts is an inspiring evening that includes live and silent auctions, live music, food and drinks, and special guest artists working live on site. This is the only dedicated fundraiser for the Arts Council, and it directly supports presentation of events, educational programs, public art installations, and outreach to the Big Sky community.

The Arts Council of Big Sky was founded in 1989 to provide cultural experiences to residents and visitors Big Sky. We’ve grown to be one of the leading non-profit arts organizations in Southwest Montana by combining our ability to produce high-quality events with our desire to make Big Sky an art-centric community.