The life and legacy of Cody artist Olive Fell are the subject of a Monday talk at the Irma Hotel in Cody.

Photo courtesy Park County Archives

On Monday, Oct. 28, the Pahaska Corral of Westerners will host a presentation by Park County Archivist Brian Beauvais discussing the life and artistic legacy of Olive Fell. The meeting at the Governors Room of Cody’s Irma Hotel begins with a no-host dinner at 6 p.m., followed by the presentation around 7 p.m.

Both the meal and the program are open to the public. Due to limited seating, however, attendees are asked to RSVP by emailing Lynn Houze at ljhcody@tctwest.net

Born in Big Timber, Montana, in 1896, Olive Fell’s family moved to Cody, where she became known as a local art prodigy. She studied at the University of Wyoming, then at the Art Institute of Chicago before moving back to the Cody region and making her home on Four Bear Ranch.

Many locals viewed Fell as a loner — a fact not helped when she greeted anyone who dared trespass upon her land by firing a rifle over their heads. A lover of the local wildlife, Fell focused her artistic talents on depicting various wild animals. She became a renowned commercial artist within Yellowstone National Park with her endearing sketches of bear cubs. Fell died in 1980 and in recent years, the popularity of her art is resurging among collectors and art historians. 

Beauvais, the presenter of Monday’s talk, is the curator of the Park County Archives in Cody. He earned his master’s degree in history from the University of Northern Iowa and is currently working toward a masters of library science degree from Emporia State University. Beauvais is also the chair of the Park County Historic Preservation Commission. In his free time, he loves to explore the historic geography of Park County.

The Pahaska Corral of Westerners is the local chapter of Westerner International, an organization dedicated to stimulating interest and research in the history of the American West.