Outstanding art collecting options Sept. 11-12; purchase works inspired by the American West
Maeve Eichelberger, Nectar, 2026, hand etched and formed fluorescent acrylic,
42 x 24 x 18 inches
July 8, 2026
INDIANAPOLIS — For one unforgettable weekend each year, some of the nation’s finest artists in the Western American genre gather under one roof, giving collectors a rare opportunity to meet the creators behind the work and purchase their original pieces.
The celebration continues Sept. 11-12 as the 21st annual Quest for the West® Art Show and Sale returns to the Eiteljorg Museum, bringing together 50 of today’s leading painters, printmakers, ceramic artists and sculptors in Western American art for one of the nation’s premier art-sale events.
During the exciting opening weekend, registered guests will enjoy artist receptions, fine dining and two fixed-price, luck-of-the-draw sales featuring approximately 200 new works inspired by the American West. From sweeping landscapes and striking wildlife to compelling portraits, sculpture and contemporary interpretations of Western life, each piece in Quest for the West® offers something to admire.
Following the sale weekend, the exhibition remains on view through Oct. 11, allowing museum visitors to experience the remarkable pieces in a monthlong exhibition before purchased works are shipped to their new homes.
Since its debut in September 2006, Quest for the West® has generated more than $20 million in art sales while raising the profile of Western American art in the Midwest.
“Quest for the West® offers an experience unlike any other,” Eiteljorg President and CEO Kathryn Haigh said. “Collectors have the opportunity to meet extraordinary artists, hear the stories behind their works and purchase exceptional pieces that celebrate the enduring spirit, beauty and many cultures of the American West. Whether you are an experienced collector or purchasing your first original work of art, Quest for the West® is the perfect opportunity to begin or grow your collection.”
This year’s event also coincides with a special exhibition honoring 2025 Quest Artist of Distinction Tim Cherry, whose whimsical wildlife bronzes will be on view Aug. 22 through Sept. 27 in the museum’s Ruth Lilly Community Art Gallery. That exhibit is free to the public.
Registration, participating artist information, artwork previews and absentee buyer details are available at quest.eiteljorg.org. Additional information is available from Kay Hinds, development coordinator, at khinds@eiteljorg.com or 317.275.1341.
Marlin Rotach, Beneath the Azure Sky, 2026, watercolor, 44 x 32 x 2 inches framed
Event Highlights:
Meet Today’s Leading Western American Artists
Nearly all 50 participating artists will attend Quest for the West®, giving collectors the opportunity to meet them, learn about their creative processes and discuss the inspirations behind their works.
Artists making their Quest debut this year are: Kevin Chupik, Maeve Eichelberger, Danny Galieote, Angie Haskell, Leon Loughbridge, Cody Oldham, Marlin Rotach, Nelson Tucker and Yun Wei. Also appearing for the first time at Quest is acclaimed sculptor Pahponee (Kickapoo Tribe of Kansas / Citizen Potawatomi Nation), a favorite artist among visitors to the Eiteljorg’s annual Indian Market & Festival each June.
Returning artists at Quest include celebrated Western painters and sculptors John Buxton, Robert Griffing, Donna Howell-Sickles, Mark Kelso, Krystii Melaine, Curt Mattson, P.A. Nisbet, Heide Presse and Stephanie Revennaugh, along with Preston Singletary (Tlingit) and Starr Hardridge (Muscogee Creek).
Friday Miniature Art Sale | Sept. 11
The weekend begins Friday evening with a reception and miniature art sale featuring smaller-scale works at lower price points that appeal both to first-time buyers and seasoned collectors who no longer have space for larger pieces.
Saturday Main Art Sale | Sept. 12
Quest‘s signature event is its exciting luck-of-the-draw main sale, where collectors compete for the opportunity to purchase original artwork. Unlike at an auction, prices are fixed. Bidders submit ballots for each artwork that are randomly drawn. The buyer whose name is drawn first has the option to purchase the artwork. If they decline, the opportunity passes to the next name drawn.
Saturday concludes with an awards banquet where artists are recognized for outstanding achievements in multiple categories, including the prestigious Harrison Eiteljorg Purchase Award. That work is acquired for the museum’s permanent collection through support from the Western Art Society.
Public Exhibition | Sept. 13-Oct. 11
After the sale weekend concludes, visitors can experience the monthlong Quest for the West® exhibition with regular museum admission. Works that remain unsold after opening weekend will continue to be available for purchase through Oct. 11.
Quest Last Look | Sept. 24
Museum members are invited to a special Quest for the West® Last Look event from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, offering an opportunity to view the exhibition and purchase available works before the show closes.
Quest for the West® is presented by The Western Art Society and Avis Foundation, Inc., with additional support provided by Western Art Society members, individual donors, Art of the West magazine, Southwest Art magazine, Kahn’s Catering, and Willow and Stars Flowers. The exhibition catalog is available through the Frank and Katrina Basile Museum Store.
Leon Loughridge, Acoma Pueblo, 2026, woodblock, 22 x 14 inches (Framed 30 x 22 inches), Edition 12
About the Eiteljorg
For 37 years, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art has been an integral part of the cultural fabric of Indianapolis and scenic White River State Park. The Eiteljorg Museum explores the intersection of the arts, histories and cultures of the past and present by sharing the diverse stories of the American West and the Indigenous Peoples of North America. Located on the Central Canal at 500 West Washington St., the Eiteljorg is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. In 2026, the Eiteljorg Museum was named one of the 10 best art museums in the nation in the USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards.
Media Contacts
Bryan Corbin
Public Relations and Content Manager
317.275.1315
bcorbin@eiteljorg.com
Katie Warthan
Director of Communications and Marketing
317.275.1317
kwarthan@eiteljorg.com
Caption for the Quest image on on the preceding page:
Quest for the West® at the Eiteljorg Museum is a reunion of friends, including artists, collectors and Quest volunteers who handle the bidding process.
Image by Brittany Erwin