"Stories of the WEst," takes viewers on a journey through the landscapes and narratives of the American West, captured through Coila Evans' unique artistic lens. Each piece tells a story that reflects the enduring relationship between people, animals, and the land, emphasizing the beauty, resilience, and history that shape this iconic region.

Cassens Fine Art is thrilled to present “Stories of the West,” a solo exhibition by Montana-based artist Coila Evans. This much-anticipated exhibition opens on November 1, 2024, with a reception from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., and will run throughout the month. Art collectors and enthusiasts alike will have the opportunity to take a journey through the landscapes and narratives of the American West, captured through Evans' unique artistic lens.

Each piece tells a story that reflects the enduring relationship between people, animals, and the land, emphasizing the beauty, resilience, and history that shape this iconic region.

“People don’t move out here to figure out who they are - they become who they’re meant to be once they arrive,” Evans says.

Evans, who grew up between rural Texas and Montana, draws inspiration from both the wide-open spaces and the intimate connections that exist within them. Her work reflects the emotional depth of these environments, whether through her vivid portraits of strong women and men of character, or the symbolic inclusion of the Oregon Trail rose, Harrison’s Yellow, representing the legacy of pioneers who brought the flower to the West.

“I read that women sewed the cuttings [of Harrison’s Yellow] into the hems of their skirts so the dew would keep them fresh,” Evans explains. “I fell in love with these roses during the pandemic because they still exist today, carried across generations just like the people who brought them here.”

In “Stories of the West,” Evans offers a thoughtful meditation on the interplay between nature and humanity, exploring the ways in which stories, both old and new, are woven into the fabric of the landscape. Her piece Stay with Me, a portrayal of horses developed over two and a half years, invites viewers to see the animals not just as subjects but as beings with their own relationships and emotions.

Read more in this exclusive conversation between Evans and Cassens Fine Art here.

The public is invited to attend the opening reception for “Stories of the West” on Friday, November 1, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Cassens Fine Art, located at 215 West Main St., Hamilton, Montana. Guests will have the chance to meet Coila Evans, explore the stories behind her works, tell their own, and experience the rich history and beauty of the Western frontier through her art.

For more information about the exhibition, please visit https://cassensfineart.com/, or contact the gallery at 406-363-4112.