2020 Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival Combines September In-person Wyoming Event with New Virtual Options

JACKSON, Wyo., Aug. 31, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Every year locals and visitors look forward to mid-September in Jackson, Wyoming, for the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival, the premier cultural event in the Rocky Mountain West. This year, in addition to visitors experiencing arts opportunities at every turn in Jackson, Wyoming's historic wooden sidewalk-lined streets, art lovers from across the country can capture some of those special only-in-Jackson-Hole moments from home with new-for-2020 online options. The 36th annual festival, taking place September 9-20, 2020, will look a little different, with safety measures in place for the exciting in-person events as well as new virtual participation opportunities for at-home visitors to be part of the celebration.

In addition to being able to watch top artists create a masterpiece in 90 minutes or less in downtown Jackson, the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival is bringing the fan favorite QuickDraw into homes nationwide on September 19 with a new livestream feature for the event and the auction that follows. Popular artists returning to QuickDraw this year include elite painters Amy Ringholz, Carrie Wild, Kathryn Mapes Turner, and sculptors Bryce Pettit, Rip and Alison Caswell and more. As always, spectators can see artists in action in Jackson, at limited capacity this year, and now online visitors can also join the fun through the QuickDraw page on the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce website, which will livestream each of the artists as they work from 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. MST.

Once completed, QuickDraw pieces go immediately to a live auction that will have an electronic bidding option for the first time in the festival's history. A limited and social-distanced in-person audience will bid live from the floor of the auction, competing against online bidders on BidSquare in real time. The one-of-a-kind artwork, often accompanied by special stories from the artists, ranges from oil and watercolor paintings to sketches to sculptures, all inspired by Jackson Hole's spectacular natural surroundings and unique wildlife, with pieces typically selling anywhere from $1,500 - $15,000. The auction will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. MST, with virtual as well as in-person attendees able to watch and bid on desired pieces. It's highly recommended for those interested in participating online to register in advance on BidSquare to be ready to bid on auction day.

"We are thrilled at the opportunity for a virtual QuickDraw Auction, allowing people to participate in this iconic event from the safety and comfort of their own homes if they prefer," says Britney Magleby, Special Events Manager at the Jackson Hole Chamber. "In my opinion, Jackson has always been a must-know destination for arts and culture. I think even more people will see that after this year's festival."

Also up for auction after QuickDraw will be the stunning 2020 featured artwork, "Hunter's Watch," by renowned artist Thomas Blackshear. Past years' featured art has sold for as much as $65,000. Blackshear's vibrant painting also graces 2020 festival posters, so everyone can bring the award-winning artist's painting home, with posters available for purchase here.

The National Museum of Wildlife Art's annual Western Visions, a signature event of the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival, this year includes the in-person "Western Visions Jewelry Show" on September 9. The museum is also offering an online artists' panel, "The Jackson Hole Five: Important Painters from the West," on September 17, featuring a discussion with five of the most influential painters in Jackson Hole: Amy Lay, Amy Ringholz, Kathryn Mapes Turner, September Vhay and Kathy Wipfler. Additional Western Visions opportunities will continue to be made available leading up to the event; check wildlifeart.org/western-visions for details.

Every year, Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival attendees enjoy browsing and shopping in person at the September 13 Takin' It to the Streets outdoor art fair. The 2020 fair features over 50 local artists selling artworks in an array of mediums on the beautiful and spacious lawn of the Center for the Arts.

Widely regarded as a top destination for Western and Wildlife Art, Jackson features more than 30 fine art galleries, museums and centers. During the Fall Arts Festival, galleries display their "best of the best," with exhibitions of work from internationally recognized artists. While the traditional Palates & Palettes is on pause for 2020, several of the galleries will carry on the gallery walk legacy with local events: Gallery Wild will host artists receptions and events at their downtown gallery space on September 11, 18 and 19. Meanwhile new Town Square gallery New West Fine Art will offer an Evening Reception & Artist Talk from Connor Liljestrom related to his exhibition "Last of the Old West" on September 11 – accompanied by a performance from Contemporary Dance Wyoming.

Adding to the lineup of excellent online opportunities this year, the Western Design Conference Exhibit + Sale, also a signature event of the festival, will go entirely virtual for 2020 with a new interactive digital version of its Sourcebook that will be released September 10 on westerndesignconference.com, allowing collectors, design aficionados and anyone who appreciates the finest in American contemporary craft to source, commission and shop the best of the West all the way through September 2021. And in addition to this year's WDC artisans, the special online Sourcebook will include access to top designers from throughout the event's past 28 years.

A full schedule of Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival events can be found here. All events are subject to change according to the orders and regulations of the Jackson community.

About the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival:
Conveniently located just 20 minutes from the Jackson Hole Airport, Jackson, Wyoming, is served by major airlines, including Delta, United, American and SkyWest. Reservation information for Jackson's numerous hotels may be found at http://www.jacksonholechamber.com/. The 36th annual Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival will take place September 9 - 20, 2020, providing a variety of socially distanced in-person activities as well as multiple new ways to participate online. For additional information, contact Britney Magleby at Jackson Hole Chamber, 307.201.2309.

SOURCE Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival