41st Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale’s 2022 Quick Draw Quickly Raises Over $100,000

The 41st Annual Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale concluded with artistic flair and record-breaking fundraising, with art sales from the two-day event totaling nearly $1.2 million.

Saturday, Sept. 24, was a day of perfect weather for the collection of artists and patrons at the Robbie Powwow Garden at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. That morning, 26 artists assembled in the garden and the massive tent erected in the parking lot for the Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale’s Annual Quick Draw and Brunch.

Patrons watched as the artists brought their pieces to life. By the time the auction of the art began at noon, the excitement was palpable. Auctioneer Troy Black announced that Friday night’s auction total – $1.032 million – was a new high for the 41-year show.

The no-reserve Quick Draw auction raised $89,350 from the art created that morning. In addition, Saturday’s silent auction raised at least $27,950 – even more than the Friday night silent auction.

“Spirit Guide” by Andrew Bolam and “Fire Hole River Bison” by Michele Usibelli were the highest-selling individual pieces on Saturday, each painting going for $6,000 each. However, the top earning artist of the Quick Draw was sculptor Chris Navarro, who sold at least 17 casts of his next bronze piece, “Wyoming Native,” for $1,000 each – totaling $17,000.

Bronzes by Navarro and artist LaQuincey Reed will be limited editions. Patrons had the option to purchase bronzes until Saturday afternoon.

The show was particularly rewarding – and awarding – for painter Mark McKenna. In addition to winning the People’s Choice Award for his painting “Embrace” in the Buffalo Bill Art Show (which sold for $40,000 on Friday night,) McKenna also won the People’s Choice Award for his painting “Little Buff” at the Quick Draw. This was his second year participating in the show.

Based on the final prices from the live and silent auctions, the 41st Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale raised over $1,196,815 over two days.

The nearly $1.2 million total makes this the most successful Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale. 2022’s show breaks the record set in 2021 – more than $1.178 million was raised during the 40th Art Show and Sale.

Total revenues from the 2021 show were over $1.5 million. The final total for 2022 will be definitively known as soon as the tens of thousands of dollars raised are counted.

All the proceeds from the Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale benefit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce, and local art organizations.