Jackson Hole is Top Cultural Travel Destination in September

The 11-day-event, taking place Sept. 7 -18, 2016, is expected to draw some 30,000 visitors to this mountain resort town known as “the last of the Old West.” Although small in size, Jackson is grand in culture, home to more than 50 art galleries, a vibrant center for the arts, a national museum and numerous arts organizations. But never is its rich cultural scene more in play than during the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival, now in its 32nd year.

This year's festival begins Wednesday, Sept. 7, with the National Museum of Wildlife Art Jewelry & Artisan Luncheon, showcasing finely crafted jewelry and wearables, taking place at the Lodge at Jackson Hole Conference Center. On Thursday, the Western Design Conference (WDC) rides back into town, kicking off the evening of Sept. 8 with its popular opening preview party and runway fashion show. The event continues with three days of the WDC Exhibit + Sale of one-of-a-kind Western-influenced furniture, fashion and accessories at the Snow King Events Center, Sept. 9-11. Returning this year, a life-size Designer Show House will be constructed at the center of the exhibit floor, featuring six professionally designed rooms integrating the WDC's museum-quality functional art into up-to-the-minute interiors.

On Friday, dozens of art galleries pair tasty treats and wine with fine art for the Palates & Palettes event on Sept. 9 from 5 – 8 p.m., a favorite with locals and visitors alike. Saturday, Sept. 10, brings back the Historical Ranch Tours with guests visiting valley ranches where Jackson Hole's cowboy heritage continues to thrive – and celebrating Triangle X Ranch's 90th Anniversary.

Sunday, Sept. 11, the 17th Annual Takin' It to the Streets, an open-air, juried art fair, gathers 40 local artists on the Town Square, selling an array of artwork from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Also on Town Square on Sunday, Taste of the Tetons offers the chance to sample the best culinary artistry of area chefs, restaurants and caterers.

Art enthusiasts have the opportunity to meet this year's Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival featured artist, Edward Aldrich, at the Mountain Trail Gallery on Sept. 14. Aldrich will sign festival posters featuring his painting “Greeting the Dawn” from 3 – 5 p.m., followed by the Art Walk from 5 – 8 p.m.



Friday, Sept. 16 and Saturday, Sept. 17, the Showcase of Homes tour returns, allowing design enthusiasts to explore behind usually closed doors at some of the most exclusive homes in Jackson while mingling with the professionals in architecture, construction, interior design, landscaping and electronics who created them.

Sept. 17 also sets the outdoor stage for the exciting QuickDraw event, where nationally, regionally and locally recognized artists fill the lawn of Town Square at 9 a.m. with just 90 minutes to demonstrate their skills as they complete an artwork for auction. Along with the freshly minted plein air pieces, the auction will sell Aldrich's featured painting “Greeting the Dawn,” available for viewing in the lobby of the Wort hotel leading up to the Saturday sale.

Conveniently located just 20 minutes from the Jackson Hole Airport, Jackson, Wyo., is served by major airlines including Delta, United, American and SkyWest. Reservation information for Jackson's numerous hotels, as well as a complete schedule of Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival events taking place Sept. 7-18, 2016, may be found at www.jacksonholechamber.com. For additional information, contact Maureen Murphy at Jackson Hole Chamber, 307.733.3316.

More information: https://www.jacksonholechamber.com/events-calendar/fall-arts-festival/