Event includes one of the area’s largest art sales, miniature art sale, special exhibits

George Hallmark
Sagrado, 2019
Oil on linen, 36 x 40 inches

INDIANAPOLIS — Every September, the Eiteljorg Museum becomes the center of attention for art of the American West. The 14th annual Quest for the West® Art Show and Sale returns Sept. 6-7 with the opening weekend of one of the top sales of Western art in the nation. Aside from its prominence nationally, Quest for the West is one of the largest art sales in Indianapolis and the Midwest.

The opening weekend attracts art enthusiasts — artists, buyers and media — from all over the country. Many of the artists and collectors consider Quest to be one of their favorite shows due to its format and intimate, engaging setting. In addition to the national recognition and reputation the show garners for the museum, Quest has generated more than $13 million in art sales since its inaugural year, 2006.

Whether one is an avid Western art collector, a general art collector or just beginning an art-collecting journey, Quest is a fascinating show to attend. It takes place within the beautiful confines of the Eiteljorg Museum in the heart of one of the most hospitable communities and downtowns in the nation.

Karin Hollebeke
Season of the Trapper, 2019
Oil on linen, 16 x 20 inches

Pre-registered opening weekend attendees will be the first to see and bid on paintings and sculpture by prominent Western artists in a “luck-of-the-draw” sale. This year’s show features four artists who are making their first appearance at Quest or returning for the first time in a few years: Tony Abeyta, Deborah Copenhaver Fellows, Dave Santillanes and Mian Situ. At the 2018 show, painter Mark Kelso, in his first year at Quest, was the only artist from Indiana; and he won the Artists’ Choice Award that year.

At Quest for the West®, potential buyers have the chance not only to be among the first to see the art in person, but to meet the artists who created the pieces. The event is exciting from start to finish, from the sound of the bugle that opens the sale to the looks of anticipation on the faces of prospective buyers.

All of the art remains on exhibit at the Eiteljorg until Oct. 6, giving the general public who visit the museum the opportunity to see the remarkable works. Pieces not sold during opening weekend remain available for purchase until the exhibit closes.

On Friday of opening weekend, registrants will enjoy afternoon tours of two local collectors’ homes, a Friday evening reception Sept. 6 and the opening of a special exhibition featuring 2018 Quest Artist of Distinction H. David Wright, as well as the return of a Miniature Art Sale. On Saturday evening Sept. 7 during the banquet and awards ceremony, many lucky attendees will win a limited edition 2019 Eiteljorg Keepsake. To register for opening weekend, contact Kay Hinds at 317.275.1341 or khinds@eiteljorg.com.  Absentee buyers also can register.

Dave Santillanes
Fading to Gray, 2019
Oil, 22 x 46 inches

Preview art, register and find complete information on Quest at quest.eiteljorg.org

David Wright, 2018 Quest for the West® Artist of Distinction
The Eiteljorg Museum will open a special exhibit featuring the art of H. David Wright in conjunction with the 2019 Quest for the West®. Last year, Wright won the Artist of Distinction Award at Quest, and the exhibition Marching to a Different Drum celebrates his remarkable career in Western art. Wright’s artwork has spanned many genres, but he is most known for his depictions of early American frontiers. The exhibit will feature 25 of these works from the last several decades of his career. This show runs from Sept. 7–Nov. 17 in the Gerald and Dorit Paul Gallery at the museum.

Miniature Art Sale
Now in its third year, the Quest Miniature Art Sale has quickly become a popular staple of Quest for the West®. For new collectors, the miniature sale offers an affordable entry point into collecting. For experienced collectors who have no more room to add large works to their home and seek smaller pieces, it’s a convenient option. The miniature sale takes place Friday night, Sept. 6, and guests can purchase smaller pieces of art and take them with them that evening.

Quest for the West® 2019 List of Artists

Tony Abeyta (Navajo)

Gerald Balciar*

John Buxton

Russell Case

Bruce Cheever

Tim Cherry*

Rox Corbett

Brent Cotton

Glenn Dean

Steve Devenyns

Mikel Donahue

Michael Dudash

Barry Eisenach*

Josh Elliott

Tony Eubanks

John Fawcett

Deborah Copenhaver Fellows*

Robert Griffing

David Grossmann

Logan Maxwell Hagege

George Hallmark

Karin Hollebeke

Donna Howell-Sickles

Doug Hyde* (Nez Perce/Assiniboine/Chippewa)

Terry Isaac

Greg Kelsey*

Mark Kelso

Curt Mattson*

Joseph McGurl

Krystii Melaine

Denis Milhomme

Jay Moore

John Moyers

Terri Kelly Moyers

Brenda Murphy

Rock Newcomb

P.A. Nisbet

Robert Peters

Howard Post

Heide Presse

Scott Rogers*

Gladys Roldan-de-Moras

Dave Santillanes

Sandy Scott*

Mian Situ

Adam Smith

Daniel Smith

Nathan Solano

David Wright

Bold: artists making their first appearance at Quest.
*Asterisk: sculptors
Italics: deceased

During Quest for the West® opening weekend, the Eiteljorg will acknowledge Western artist Terry Isaac of Penticton, British Columbia, Canada.  Isaac had entered and was scheduled to participate in this year’s Quest, but he died unexpectedly in July. One of his final paintings will be on view and available for purchase during the show and sale.

About the Eiteljorg Museum
Celebrating 30 years of telling amazing stories in 2019, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis seeks to inspire an appreciation and understanding of the art, history and cultures of the American West and the Indigenous peoples of North America. Located on the Central Canal at 500 West Washington St., the Eiteljorg Museum was named one of the USA Today Readers’ Choice 10 Best Indiana Attractions.

Media Contacts
Bryan Corbin
Public Relations Manager
317.275.1315
bcorbin@eiteljorg.com

Bert Beiswanger
Director of Marketing and Communications
317.275.1317
bbeiswanger@eiteljorg.com

Hyacinth Rucker
Digital Communications Manager
317.275.1388
hrucker@eiteljorg.com