Find the Best Seat in Jackson Hole at the Western Design Conference

Left to Right, from Chris Martin Furniture of Colorado: Martini Chair, Burl oak, steel, leather, Afzelia burl, $5,800 to order; Poma Club Chair, steel, wood, leather, African print cloth with armrest, $3,650. | Photo: Courtesy of Western Design Exhibit + Sale

With the Western Design Conference Exhibit + Sale approaching as the ultimate design event in the West this September, interior design enthusiasts and furniture fans are anticipating a wealth of stylish seating in the form of chairs to cherish. The four-day show features nearly 100 artisans from across the country, celebrating the finest works of museum-quality contemporary craft, all available for purchase and commission.

While the functional art on display ranges from jewelry, fashion and leather to myriad works in wood, metal and more, the chairs pictured here provide a peek at the outstanding creativity and craftsmanship to admire and acquire at the Western Design Conference, held at the Snow King Events Center in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, September 5 – 8, 2024.

A piece from the Persona series of chairs by Montana artist Tyrel Johnson. | Photo: Courtesy of Western Design Exhibit + Sale

New to the show this year is Chris Martin Furniture, out of Livermore, Colorado, with over 25 years of experience. Martin uses steel, burned wood, leather and more to create his one-of-a-kind artful chairs, as well as a variety of other pieces for the home. Stephen Rosini of SR Woodworking out of Salt Lake City, Utah, returns to the WDC this year with his stunning pieces that blur the lines of midcentury and contemporary design, combining thoughtful, minimalistic lines that are sleek yet bold. 

For a seat that rocks, Robert Wing of Santa Fe Rockers of New Mexico is exhibiting heirloom-quality, handcrafted, ergonomic, rocking chairs made from North American hardwoods. Each rocker is assembled from approximately 100 separate pieces of wood and takes 175 hours to fabricate, sculpt, and finish.

Left to Right: Lounge chairs by SR Woodworking take a modern, laid-back stance; sculpted heirloom rockers by Robert Wing combine North American hardwoods in ergonomic design. | Photo: Courtesy of Western Design Conference.

An independent artist and woodworker with a background in finishing and fine art, Reagan Zubiate of Denver-based New Leaf Design offers up a seat at the WDC with her superb, fine-art chairs that balance “functionality, purpose, and beauty while being mindful of waste in time and materials.” Doug Nordberg, of Cody, Wyoming, returns to the WDC to share his latest high-end custom wood and antler creations. Nordberg took home the Best Artist in Mixed Media Award at last year’s show for his extraordinary bench with its flowing lines and rustic appeal.

Though better known for his extraordinary bronze and wood sculptures, artist Tyrel Johnson out of Billings, Montana will debut his Persona chairs, commissioned pieces that Johnson creates in collaboration with a client to artistically capture their unique personality.

Top to bottom: New Leaf Design’s bent-lamination Morii chair is crafted from maple veneer and walnut veneer; Nordberg Gallery achieves a similarly organic concept with this 2023 WDC award-winning bench. | Photo: Courtesy of Western Design Exhibit + Sale

Tim Lozier’s How Kola Furniture of Cody, Wyoming has been a favorite of the Western Design Conference for years as his timeless pieces honor the vintage cowboy-style designs of the renowned Thomas Molesworth with his own creative spin. Meanwhile, Steve Henneford of Kalispell, Montana-based Henneford Fine Furniture is another always anticipated longtime participant of the WDC, crafting his custom wood and fine leather furniture, including his popular Casual Cowboy chair with its distinctly Western take on contemporary design. 

Guests can secure tickets in advance online, including for the must-see Preview Party + Fashion Show on Thursday, September 5. This annual signature event of the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival features legacy creations that endure and is held at the Snow King Events Center in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, September 5 – 8, 2024.

Left to Right: Lozier’s How Kola Molesworth-style chair; Henneford Fine Furniture’s Casual Cowboy Chair .| Photo: Courtesy of Western Design Exhibit + Sale