The 44th Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale opened at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming, with over $20,000 in art sold on the first evening. The show features 104 paintings from 104 artists, valued at over $1.25 million, displayed until the live auction on September 19. A Buy-It-Now Sale offers 63 smaller pieces donated by artists, providing immediate purchasing opportunities alongside the main exhibition of contemporary Western art.
The show matters because it is a major annual event dedicated exclusively to contemporary Western art, offering a unique platform where each artist submits only one piece, fostering both opportunity and challenge. The strong opening sales and diverse mediums—from traditional paintings and bronze sculptures to a transparent acrylic saddle—demonstrate the vitality and evolving nature of the Western art market, while the artist-donated Buy-It-Now Sale highlights the community's loyalty and generosity.