The Fall Arts Festival is back, ushering in a jam-packed week-and-a-half of visual, contemporary, culinary, Western, landscape, wildlife, and Native American arts. In short: it’s a festival of toasting Jackson Hole’s incredibly diverse artistic community, its fall colors, its cuisine, and all the dedicated professionals that add to the vibrancy of our valley. But where to start? With over 50 events occurring between September 3-14, we’ve gone through and picked out some fetes that are sure to be winners. However, we encourage you to check back frequently on the Fall Arts Festival’s Facebook page for ongoing event details. Each and every day, galleries are hosting talks, openings, and parties, so please make sure to check if your favorite one is on the list.
Here’s our list for this week:
Ongoing
From the kick-off luncheon on September 3rd throughout the rest of the Fest, the Western Visions Annual Show & Sale overlaps with its own events and chances to purchase world-class art. This is the major fundraiser every year for the National Museum of Wildlife Art, and needs be on your radar! (August 30-September 21).
Don’t forget to pick up a collector’s item souvenir during your Fall Arts Festival experience! This year, two bottles of wine are featured, both with labels designed by the two artists highlighted during the fest, Nancy Cawdrey and Joshua Tobey. They can be purchased at The Liquor Store & Wine Loft.
Wednesday, September 30
Head downtown for poster signings with the Fall Arts Festival’s featured artists. From 3-5pm, sculptor Joshua Tobey will be signing at Astoria Fine Art, and painter Nancy Dunlop Cawdrey at West Lives on Contemporary.
The best part of Fall Arts Festival? Lots of gallery time! Occurring from 5-8pm on the Town Square, Wednesday provides another opportunity to art walk throughout downtown while enjoying face time with gallery owners and artists, refreshments, and the astounding diversity of Jackson Hole’s art scene. With more than 30 galleries participating, look for Art Walk banners as you explore town.
Artist’s Receptions & Exhibit Openings: Featured artists Tom Gilleon, Howard Post, Glenn Dean, Ed Mell, and Greg Woodard will be at Altamira Fine Art from 5-8pm, while across town, the “In Our Valley” exhibition by Trio Fine Art will show gallery owners’ Kathryn Mapes Turner, Jennifer L. Hoffman,and Bill Sawczuk’s soulful painted interpretations of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
As evening blends to night, be sure to make an appearance at The Night Fenix, a celebration for Fall Arts Festival 2012 featured artist Amy Ringholz. Not only will Amy be revealing 12 beautiful new works (including “The Traveler,” which graces the cover of our sister publication Jackson Hole Traveler), but there will be live music, coffee treats, cocktails, and ample revelry for all. (125 N. Cache; 5-11pm).
Thursday, September 11
From 5:30-8:30pm, the National Museum of Wildlife Art hosts the Wild 100 Artist party, a chance to celebrate and place bids before the Western Visions gala show and sale tomorrow. $100; registration required.
Friday, September 12
From 11am-4pm, our Homestead team is proud to be hosting the Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes, self-guided tours of Jackson Hole’s most spectacular homes with the potential to chat with the artisans, designers, and architects behind them. Tickets are $75 and include wine and hors d’oeuvres–all proceeds go to charities selected by our homeowners. Buy tickets in advance at http://jacksonholeshowcase.com.
The Wild 100 Show & Sale represents the final opportunity to bid on Western Visions works, as well as a shindig to follow. $150; registration required.
From 10am-7pm, swing by the landmark Center for the Arts to preview works in the Jackson Hole Art Auction. This event represents a true motherlode for any arts lover, with genres including contemporary, classic, Western, sporting, and wildlife all represented.
You’ve seen their work hanging on gallery walls; now, peek behind the scenes into the artists’ studios and get to know the charming area of Wilson, Wyoming during the West Bank Artists Studio Tour. Call 307-733-5096 for more information.
Saturday, September 13
Kick off your morning with a splash of paint (and excitement!). At 9am on the Town Square, the Jackson Hole Quick Draw art sale and auction begins. While a crowd of onlookers observe, artists paint new masterpieces in 90 minutes, followed by an auction that benefits the 2015 Fall Arts Festival.
The Jackson Hole Art Auction gets going at noon at the Center for the Arts! Preview the works beginning at 9am.
The Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes runs for a second day from 11am-4pm!
Toast the Fall Arts Festival and rub shoulders with artists and other arts patrons at the Fall Arts Festival artist party from 5-8pm on the Town Square. Live music and the chance to meet the Festival’s two featured artists–as well as a reception for artists from West Lives On and Astoria Fine Art–make this a fun and festive event to ring in the end of the Festival.
Sunday, September 14
You didn’t think you could leave the Fall Arts Festival without one more gallery tour, did you? In this unique spin on the traditional art walk, galleries throughout downtown open their doors from 11am-3pm and lure art lovers in one last time for delectable brunch dishes and themed beverages.
Last thing on the itinerary? Take a nap! That’s a lot of amazing arts programming in one week, all thanks to the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival’s continually evolving and expanding reach.
