Bison in Yellowstone National Park

Exploring the Artistic and Historical Riches of Cody, Wyoming

BY ELAINE HARRIS

Known as the “Home of the Great American Adventure,” Cody, Wyoming, stretches across the valley east of Yellowstone National Park’s entrance, encompassing the towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse.

Every year, thousands of visitors flock to Yellowstone Valley, but it is this region where those seeking Western adventures immerse themselves in authentic experiences. Here, visitors reconnect with the spirit of the American West, enjoy the tranquility of the outdoors, marvel at spectacular vistas and engage in a variety of recreational activities and adventures.

Many choose to spend time at genuine dude or guest ranches, deepening their connection to the land and its heritage. During our visit, my husband, Scott, and I witnessed exceptional creativity through art inspired by the region’s vibrant cultural legacy.

The Buffalo Bill Center of the West

The town’s namesake, William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, a legendary scout and showman, played a pivotal role in the city’s founding and development. Today, that legacy is preserved and celebrated at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which attracts thousands of visitors annually.

This renowned complex is dedicated to the culture and history of the American West and features an entire wing honoring Buffalo Bill himself. With five exceptional museums under one roof, the center offers a two-day admission for a nominal fee. Among its highlights is the Whitney Western Art Museum, recognized as one of the “Best Art Museums” by Newsweek’s Readers’ Choice Awards and lauded for its impressive collection of historic and contemporary western art.

The Buffalo Bill Museum showcases artifacts from the famous Wild West show, bringing legendary figures such as Annie Oakley, Sitting Bull and Pawnee Bill to life through film and curated exhibits. The center also houses the Plains Indian Museum, Cody Firearms Museum and the Draper Natural History Museum.

As an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West connects people to the history and culture of the iconic region. Visitors leave with a deeper appreciation for the enduring legacy of Buffalo Bill and the region he helped shape.

Annual Art Celebrations in Cody

Each September, the bustling town of Cody hosts hundreds of Western art enthusiasts for two significant events: the annual Rendezvous Royale and the Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale. As artists ourselves, my husband, Scott, and I eagerly embraced this opportunity to explore the rich art culture of the American West.

“Authentic artistry happens with inspiration, and there is plenty of that here,” said Katrina Southern, Park County Travel Council’s marketing manager.

Rendezvous Royale: A Celebration of the Arts

The Rendezvous Royale is a week-long celebration of the arts featuring demonstrations, auctions, workshops and lectures. Central to this event is the Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale.

My experience began with a three-day painting workshop on the porch, led by acclaimed artist Michael Ome Untiedt. As a new master’s student in art, I delved deeply into oil painting under Untiedt’s expert guidance. I quickly shed any apprehension as Untiedt enthusiastically instructed both novices and professionals, helping hone artistic perception and technical skills.

His website (michaelomeuntiedt.com) showcases his achievements, awards and the galleries that represent his work. Untiedt’s oil paintings capture classic scenes of the American West — landscapes teeming with cowboys and the spirit of a bygone era — yet they resonate with modern collectors through his lyrical, evocative brushwork.

“You need to develop perceptual skills to accomplish a shift into the three-dimensional aspect from a flat image,” Untiedt explained, sharing stories that provided inspiration on and off the canvas.

He recounted his journey: “Thirty-five years ago, I started selling landscape paintings and decided I wanted to show more emotion in my paintings, and naturally, painting cowboys seemed like a good fit.”

Growing up on a small ranch in Western Colorado surrounded by nature, Untiedt developed a keen eye for shapes and forms. Encouraged by his grandmother and mother, he became involved with the Art Students League of Denver, which supported his artistic growth and helped him find his voice.

“Being an artist is a life filled with rejection, but it is a viable way to work and make a living,” he reflected, recalling the words of Dr. Jacob Bronowski, author of “The Ascent of Man.” “Not language, use of tools or intelligence, but man’s ability to transfer beauty and culture, but through art.”

Untiedt encouraged us to identify our strengths and cultivate our unique artistic voice: “What do you want your painting to look like? If one hundred people look at your painting, they must know that it is your painting.”

After several days of dedicated instruction, each participant completed a painting under Untiedt’s mentorship, and the joyful expressions on everyone’s faces reflected their contentment with the outcome.

Cody’s Historic Landmarks and Culinary Experiences

On day four of the celebration, we explored some of Cody’s art galleries and local eateries.

We visited the historic Irma Hotel, named for Buffalo Bill’s youngest daughter and built in 1902 for $80,000. The public first entered its doors on Nov. 1, 1902. Stepping inside the building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, we admired vintage photographs and enjoyed the lively atmosphere at the bar. We treated ourselves to the town’s best prime rib dinner and salad bar, surrounded by fellow diners eager to experience the grandeur of this landmark.

As we left, a crowd gathered for the nightly “shootout” in front of the hotel, where costumed cowboys staged a playful showdown. We then retired to our hotel, ready to explore Yellowstone National Park the next day.

Exploring Yellowstone National Park

As the first national park and located less than an hour from Cody, Yellowstone is an ideal base for day trips. Visitors can enter from the east and explore the entire lower loop of the Grand Loop Road. With limited time between art events, we seized this opportunity. The park’s dramatic rock formations, pine forests and lakes were awe-inspiring, but the sight of American bison roaming freely along the roadside was truly unforgettable. These majestic animals often halt traffic as they rest, asserting their right of way. We witnessed large herds of bison, bubbling thermal vents with vibrant colors and steaming cauldrons that warned visitors to keep a safe distance.

We arrived at Old Faithful just in time to see its spectacular eruption, joining hundreds of onlookers for this iconic event. Nearby stands the Old Faithful Inn, the largest wooden structure in America, built in 1903 from local logs and stone. This National Historic Landmark is the most sought-after accommodation in the park. Walking through its grand halls, we felt connected to generations of travelers who have marveled at both the inn’s architecture and the wonders of nature just beyond its windows. Every twist and turn of the road brought us a deeper appreciation of one of our nation’s most beloved national parks. We paused to take in the moment, but our agenda soon pulled us back toward the creative energy of Cody, where art continues to reflect the surrounding area’s natural beauty.

Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale Draws Crowds of Art Enthusiasts

Our trip continued with Rendezvous Royale’s main event, the 44th annual Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale, featuring over 100 outstanding artists.
One of the foremost painters of the landscapes of the American West, Albert Bierstadt wrote, “The artist is out to tell his portion of history as well as the writer: a combination of both will assuredly render it more complete.” While a picture can paint a thousand words, these acclaimed artists demonstrated their artistic voice through a parade of paintings and sculptures displayed in two silent auctions and two live auctions.

As we settled into our seats for a night of high-priced bidding and a sumptuous catered dinner and drinks to keep us well-fed and hydrated, the bidders gazed upon their sought-after artistic acquisitions as the display began along the runway.

One by one, the frenetic energy of auctioneer Troy Black of Black and Associates Auctioneers Inc. filled the room. His loquacious, auctioneer-trained tongue urged bidders to “Bid high, bid often, and if I can’t hear you, raise your hand,” prompting patrons to purchase an impressive 93 pieces, bringing in $930,000.

“A Matter of Utmost Urgency,” which garnered the Spirit of Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale Award, was the overall highest bid. Artist Santiago Michalek received a purchase price of $42,500, outpacing his retail price of $38,000. The People’s Choice Award went to artist Krystii Melaine’s oil painting, “Guardian of the Wilderness,” which doubled its retail price at auction to $26,000.

As the drone of the auctioneer faded into the night, we congratulated some of the generous bidders, knowing another full day of live art action awaited with the annual Quick Draw sale and auction, which would conclude the week of sales and benefit local art organizations, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce.

A lovely fall day awaited us as crowds made their way to the small park where 28 artists stood by their easels and art stands, focused on their emerging works of art. It is with utmost concentration that these artists must give to complete a masterful piece of work, while others mill about, asking questions and offering comments.

“I have been here 8 years, but this is my 7th year,” Michalek said. “I received a phone call asking me to participate years ago, and here I am today, enjoying the moment,” he continued as he decisively placed the paint on his historic train image.

As the other artists filled their canvases with images of teepees, bison, cowboys and landscapes, we hesitantly made our way back to the auction tent as the buzzer rang, ending the artists’ time. When the artists entered the tent holding up their creations, the grand painting parade began down the catwalk. Each artist displayed their work, including Michael Ome Untiedt, whose painting quickly sold for $5,000.

The end of the lively auction garnered almost $200,000 for local entities and artists’ organizations, but the fun and memories were priceless. By the end of the week, with a combination of live, silent and online sales, the 44th Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale had reached more than $1 million in sales, helping the artist community thrive and keeping the memory of the American West alive.