Exploring Art in Jackson
An art lover's guide to the Western town
There are plenty of reasons to visit Jackson, Wyoming in the summer. The foremost being the stunning scenery, and no destination does wildlife quite like Jackson. However, it is also a great place to find and make art.
September is the perfect time to visit because you can plan your trip around the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival running the 4th through the 15th. By this time, the summer crowds have left, making this an ideal time to experience what Jackson has to offer.
Jackson Hole Arts Festival, Tom Mansanarez.
The Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival started in 1984, and while the town has changed significantly over the last 35 years, the community’s dedication to the arts has not swayed.
Taste of the Tetons.
Over 11 days, the event features more than 50 family-friendly events including the Taste of the Tetons and Palates and Palettes Gallery Walk. The art on display ranges from oil paintings to fashion.
Jackson Hole Arts Festival, Amy Ringholz
Designers flock to the Western Design Exhibit + Sale, September 5-8, that takes place at Snow King Center. There are juried artists’ works and a live runway fashion show. It is renowned throughout the West with everyone from interior designers to connoisseurs of Western art. It is an event that allows artists and designers to come together to talk shop as well as meet and greet potential clients.
WDC Fashion Show. Photo by New Thought Digital.
For house lovers, there is a Showcase of Homes Tour during the art festival. This allows visitors to walk into and look around some of Jackson’s fabulous mountain homes. While there they can interact with architects and designers.
While in town, be sure to stop by the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Located on a hill overlooking the elk refuge, from the moment a visitor parks among the sculptures in the parking lot, they are immersed in art.
The building was inspired by Slains Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and it is a masterpiece. Inside the walls is one of the most incredible collections of wildlife art in the West. Install the museum’s app before you to broaden the overall experience.
The permanent displays include a replica of John Clymer’s Jackson Hole Studio. Clymer was born in 1907 and died in 1989. He was an American illustrator who drew 80 covers for The Saturday Evening Post. He was also a painter who captured nature and the American West. His widow donated the contents of his studio to the museum in 1991, including more than 200 artifacts he’d collected during his lifetime.
While visiting the museum, be sure to enjoy a meal at Palate, a restaurant where the views are outstanding and the caliber of the food matches the scenery.
