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The 2026 Scottsdale Art Auction generated more than $16.5 million in total sales with a 97% sell-through rate during its two-day event April 10-11 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The auction attracted 951 online bidders and nearly 400 in-person attendees and produced 30 new artist auction records, bringing the event’s cumulative total to 315 records, according to a press release.
The total result exceeded the cumulative high estimate of all lots across both sessions by $3 million, a level of performance that is uncommon for a multi-session sale.
Session II opened with 17 works from the Abe Hays Collection featuring paintings and drawings by author and illustrator Will James. The session’s top lot was Smoky and Clint, an illustration from James’ 1926 novel Smoky the Cowhorse, published by Scribner. After nearly 10 minutes of bidding across online, phone and in-room platforms, the work sold for $990,000, surpassing its preauction estimate of $50,000-$75,000.
Three lots earlier, James’ A Heeler in the Slack sold for $156,000, briefly setting a new world auction record for the artist before being surpassed by Smoky and Clint. James’ prior auction record stood at $150,000.
Smoky the Cowhorse helped establish James’ literary reputation and received the 1927 Newbery Medal, awarded for distinguished contributions to American children’s literature.
The first installment of the Hays Collection included 17 works that achieved a combined total of $1,747,800. Additional sales included Bull Dogger (8 x 9 inches), which sold for $90,000 against an estimate of $18,000-$24,000, and the pencil drawing Bronco Buster (17 ½ x 13 ½ inches), which brought $66,000 against an estimate of $8,000-$12,000. The second installment of the collection is scheduled for the auction’s August online sale.
“It was an impressive two days of sales,” said Brad Richardson, who owns the auction 21-year-old auction house along with art dealer Michael Frost. “Bidding was incredibly strong for both historic and contemporary artists and along with the record-breaking sales from the collection of Will James, we also set records for many of the most sought after artists working in the Western genre today.”
Works by historic Western artist Nicolai Fechin also performed strongly. Carmencita (20 x 16 inches) sold for $1,020,000 against an estimate of $600,000-$900,000. A smaller portrait, Consuelo (13 x 12 inches), sold for $252,000, while a floral still life (24 x 20 inches) realized $396,000.
Historic sculpture produced notable results, including Frederic Remington’s bronze The Broncho Buster, lifetime cast No. 56 from Roman Bronze Works, which sold for $690,000, nearly double its high estimate of $350,000.
Several record-setting results were achieved by living artists. Billy Schenck’s Blood on the Horizon (40 x 50 inches) sold for $216,000, exceeding its high estimate of $65,000 and surpassing the artist’s previous world auction record of $66,000. Schenck’s Sam’s Rifle (30 x 24 inches) sold for $60,000 against an estimate of $8,000-$12,000, while Rider on the Ridge (24 x 20 inches) brought $42,000 against an estimate of $6,000-$9,000.
Another notable contemporary sale was Kyle Polzin’s still life America Endures—250 Years of Valor and Virtue (64 x 33 inches), which sold for $336,000, establishing a new world auction record for the artist. The painting references Emanuel Leutze’s Washington Crossing the Delaware, which Polzin cited as a symbol of resilience and courage.
“I created this painting to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States,” Mr. Polzin said. “Not only to celebrate, but to reflect on what it takes for a nation to endure. Endurance isn’t guaranteed. It depends on virtue, integrity, and the willingness of people to carry those values forward.”
Arizona artist Ed Mell also posted record results. Guardo Expanse (30 x 60 inches) sold for $132,000 against an estimate of $55,000-$85,000, setting a new world auction record for the artist. Mell’s Peach Rose (30 x 60 inches) sold for $108,000, establishing a new auction record for one of his floral works. Rain and Runoff (20 x 30 inches) sold for $102,000, four times its estimate of $28,000-$38,000, while Sundown Strike (24 x 18 inches) realized $84,000 against an estimate of $25,000-$35,000.
Additional notable sales from the two-day auction included: Eric Bowman, Golden Canopy (49 x 59 inches), $96,000; John Ford Clymer, The Metis Brigade (20 x 40 inches), $300,000; Martin Grelle, Last of the Pemmican (48 x 72 inches), $270,000; G. Harvey, Line Shack Cowhands (24 x 36 inches), $204,000; E.I. Couse, The Master Potter (24 x 29 inches), $192,000; E. Martin Hennings, Homeward Through the Sage (14 x 14 inches), $168,000; Mark Maggiori, The Buffalo Herder (24 x 30 inches), $144,000; and Howard Terpning, The Mighty Blackfoot (24 x 18 inches), $132,000.
