Wyoming Celebrates the Arts in September
Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival
By: Katelyn Parker
Wyoming has a rich culture that is uniquely defined in western art. The art representing the west is distinctively American and is enormously popular around the world. One of the grandest celebrations of western art is the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival in Jackson, Wyoming.
If you find yourself in attendance, you will be in the presence of artwork by masters, both past and present, who have displayed phenomenal talent, allowing them recognition at this prestigious event. It’s hard to believe there is anything more beautiful than Jackson and the Tetons in fall, but the art featured at this show proves to be a strong contender.
Jackson Hole Art Auction
The 2021 art auction is contrived of nearly 400 pieces that will be auctioned off in two sessions during the Fall Arts Festival. The featured artists all have their unique style and medium. Art lovers of all genres are attracted to the Jackson Hole Art Auction due to the wide range of influence that can be observed in the artwork. Plein air painters, contemporary/modern artists, and representational artists with impressionistic influence, are just a few of the styles represented. The subject matters are just as vast. Much of the artwork reflects western and native American cultures, but landscapes, still-life’s and other subject matters are also widely represented. Wyoming may not be large in population, but per capita it attracts more artists than other states with larger populations, making Wyoming large and impressive in the art world. It doesn’t take skyscrapers and the masses to represent strong culture and the Jackson Hole Art Auction is indicative of what Wyoming has to offer.
“Art is unquestionably one of the purest and highest elements in human happiness. It trains the mind through the eye, and the eye through the mind. As the sun colors flowers, so does art color life.”
-John Lubbock
The Western Design Conference
The Western Design Conference features functional art such as fashion, jewelry, and western design furniture. Western fashion and jewelry are often very colorful and features several different layers of texture and material, ending in a product that is full of movement and intricacy’s. Western jewelry, with its abundance of native American influence, features delicate metal works and natural stones such as turquoise and corals. Western design furniture began in Wyoming with Thomas Molesworth, a furniture maker that defined the genre. Molesworth is reputed for building custom pieces for some of the largest ranch owners in the country and much of his work can still be admired in the Old Faithful Inn, in Yellowstone National Park. Since Molesworth started the movement and style, many artisans have adopted his western design concept in their craftsmanship and continued the legacy. Many of these pieces are featured at the Western Design Conference during the Fall Arts Festival.
The Quick Draw
The Quick Draw is one of the most interactive events during the Fall Arts Festival. During this event, attendees have the pleasure of watching the world class artist’s work. Artists who participate choose their medium and their subject matter and they are challenged to completing their piece in a certain amount of time. This is a highly anticipated event that takes place in Jacksons town square. Walk around on a fall day, smell the oil paints and clay, and watch the master’s work. Once the time is up the artists must put their brushes and scrapers down and submit their pieces to auction. Auctioned while still wet, you can’t get any closer to creation than this.
The Jackson Hole Art Auction, Western Design Conference, and Quick Draw are just a few of the many events included in the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival. Check out the full schedule of events.
FALL ARTS FESTIVAL EVENTS
Thursday, September 9, 2021
Western Design Conference Open Preview Party + Fashion Show
6-10 PM | Snow King Event Center
$50 General Admission | $125 VIP
The Ancient Law - Silent Film Showing with Live Orchestra
5-10 PM | Center for the Arts Theater
Friday, September 10, 2021
Palates & Palettes
5-7 PM | Participating Galleries
Free Fall Arts Festival Signature Event
Western Design Conference
10 AM - 5 PM | Snow King Event Center
$20 ticket
Saturday, September 11, 2021
Western Design Conference
10 AM - 5 PM | Snow King Event Center
$20 ticket
Sunday, September 12, 2021
Western Design Conference
10 AM - 5 PM | Snow King Event Center
$20 ticket
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Gary Lynn Roberts Poster Signing
5-7 PM | West Lives On Gallery
Free admission | Posters starting at $42
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Western Visions Evening Sale
5-8 PM | National Museum of Wildlife Art
Tickets available July 21
Friday, September 18, 2021
Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes
10 AM - 4 PM | Participating Homes.
Jackson Hole Art Auction Session I
12 PM | Jackson Hole Art Auction
Register to bid
Saturday, September 18, 2021
Jackson Hole QuickDraw
8 AM - 1 PM | Town Square
$50 bidder paddle (two seats) | Bid online
Jackson Hole Art Auction Session II
12 PM | Jackson Hole Art Auction
Register to bid
Sunday, September 19, 2021
Sunday Art Brunch
11 AM - 2 PM | Participating Galleries
Free Fall Arts Festival Signature Event