“The Bison: American Icon, Heart of Plains Indian Culture Re-Imagined!”

comprehensive permanent exhibit showcases more than 1,000 Northern Plains Indian artifacts and addresses the crucial historical and cultural role of the bison. Also continuing through the end of the year: “The Sun Dance Series: Heart of the Blackfeet People” features a remarkable collection of 42 paintings by Blackfeet artist Gary Schildt that represents aspects of the annual Medicine Lodge ceremony or Sun Dance; “Selections from the North American Indian by E.S. Curtis,” a selection of 27 photogravures from the artist’s monumental body of work, features Montana tribes and landscapes. “Artifact into Art: The C.M. Russell Studio Collection” highlights Russell’s ethnographic and prop collection in celebration of the reopening of the artist’s studio; the exhibit pairs Russell artworks in the museum’s collection with the studio props that appear in the paintings, divided into four sections: Women and Interiors, Clothing, Weapons and Riding Gear.