This year, Jackson Hole Arts Festival celebrates its 33rd year with featured artist Mark Keathley and an array of events celebrating art, music, food, and wine in the West.
Each year thousands of art enthusiasts are drawn to the stunning backdrop and welcoming town of Jackson, Wyoming, for one of the most widely recognized cultural events in the Rocky Mountain West. This year The Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival celebrates the arts in a unique and exciting manner, bringing together the works of nationally and internationally acclaimed artists and providing dozens of events encompassing art, music, food, and wine.
The 11 days of festivities will kick off September 6 with the Museum Jewelry & Artisan Luncheon, showcasing and auctioning finely crafted wearable art in support of educational and outreach programs at the National Museum of Wildlife Art; and the family-friendly comedy production of The Unsinkable Molly Brown, a rags-to-riches story of a headstrong woman in American history.
The next day, September 7, will transition into the Western Design Conference Exhibit + Sale. The exhibit and sale is celebrating its 25th year with first looks at one-of-a-kind furnishings, fashion, home and lifestyle accessories, and jewelry.
“The fresh perspectives and creativity found at the Exhibit + Sale continue to draw first-time attendees and longtime patrons annually,” said Allison Merritt, executive director of the Western Design Conference, in a press release. “It’s clear that ‘Western’ has many meanings and that ‘one-of-a-kind’ doesn’t have to mean unaffordable. Much like the artists themselves, their unique work features everything from cowboy to contemporary and encourages a fresh and open-minded approach to design.”
Other highlighted events throughout the festival include Palates & Palettes Gallery Walk, with more than 30 galleries opening their doors and serving up art and food, wine, and music; Taste of the Tetons, showcasing (with samples!) valley chefs, restaurants, and caterers; and the self-guided Showcase of Homes.
This year’s Jackson Hole Arts Festival’s signature artwork is by featured artist Mark Keathley. His painting Rise Above, which portrays four strikingly robust American Indians horseback with the magnificent Tetons in the background, graces the official 2017 festival poster.
“If we want to bring words of hope for unity into a world of unrest and turmoil, we must rise above and gain perspective from the One who sees behind the scenes and on all levels of spiritual existence,” Keathley said in a press release.
Keathley will be present to sign festival posters on September 13 at West Lives On Gallery, where a one-man show of his work will be on view.
Calendar of events:
Thursday, Sept. 7: Western Design Conference Opening Preview Party + Fashion Show
Friday Sept. 8 - Sept. 10: Western Design Conference Exhibit + Sale
Friday Sept. 8: Palates & Palettes Gallery Walk
Saturday Sept. 9: Historic Ranch Tours
Sunday Sept. 10: Taste of the Tetons on the Town Square
Wednesday Sept. 13: Poster Signing with the Featured Artist Mark Keathley on the Town Square and the Art Walk
Friday Sept. 15 & Saturday Sept. 16: Jackson Hole Art Auction
Friday Sept. 15 & Saturday Sept. 16: The Showcase of Homes
Saturday Sept. 16: QuickDraw Art Sale and Auction on the Town Square
For more information on the festival and event times, visit their website.
