Tools

Let the Madness Begin: Preparations for C.M. Russell Art Auction

Let the Madness Begin: Preparations for C.M. Russell Art Auction

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Mar 15, 2010 at 3:18 PM MST

Story Updated: Mar 15, 2010 at 4:49 PM MST

You could call it Great Falls' own brand of March Madness, but most know it as Western Art Week. And with the C.M. Russell Art Auction just two days away, staff members from both the Ad Club and the Heritage Inn are getting ready for the "big dance."

Transforming a hotel into an art gallery is no easy task...

"A lot of people don't realize how much work it is to transform the the Heritage Inn into what becomes the C.M. Russell Art Auction,” noted Ad Club Executive Director, Sara Becker.

"It's actually the busiest couple of days of the year, before and after the art auction,” Heritage Inn Property Manager, George Dimitroff explained. “We have over 100 rooms that we just totally gut...and when it's all over we put it all back."

It takes about seven semi-trailers to hold all the furniture, mattresses and bedding that's been taken out of these rooms, and a crew of 15 just to do it. Yet they manage to make space for all the auction exhibitors in just two days.

And it's not just the trucks that are filled to capacity--several overflow storage rooms are filled with lamps, chairs and TVs that may be used during the auction.

Crews also have to cover the pool to make room for the quick draw event, plus the Ad Club sets up shop in a room close to the action.

"We actually move our Ad Club offices into the Heritage Inn, starting today,” said Becker. “So, we're pretty much here the entire week—this is our home away from home."

And the experts preparing the home of the C.M. Russell Art Auction have years of practice.

The C.M. Russell Art Auction begins this Wednesday. And while officials tell us advance ticket sales are down from years past--they expect many western art fans to buy tickets at the door--which was the case last year.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

News, Sports, Weather for Great Falls, Helena, and all of Montana and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Great Falls & Helena Weather

Icon
Great Falls Great Falls Intl Airport, MT
Current Temp 31.0 °F
Overcast
Wind : North at 5.8 MPH (5 KT)
Pressure : 1026.0 mb
Humidity : 61 %
Icon
Helena Helena Regional, MT
Current Temp 30.0 °F
Partly Cloudy
Wind : Calm
Pressure : 1028.5 mb
Humidity : 75 %
Click here for our video forecast
More Weather
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

AP Video