Jackson Hole’s Popular Live Art Show is Back

Photos courtesy of Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival

The 37th annual Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival anticipates returning to normal capacity, showcasing Jackson Hole internationally as a leading destination for fine art & culture.

All events predict enthusiastic crowds but have plans to restrict capacity if required by Town or County ordinances.

One of the most highly anticipated live art events in the nation, The Jackson Hole QuickDraw will take place on September 18, 2021. For the first time in festival history, bidder paddles will be available for sale for $50/paddle leading up to the event. One bidder paddle guarantees two auction seats and access to an on-site champagne bar.

“Since we expect a large crowd wanting to watch the auction, we wanted to find a way to ensure seats for those who intend to purchase artwork,” stated Director of Events Britney Magleby. The $50 fee is returned to the bidder upon purchase of a QuickDraw auction piece.

“That said, anyone is still able to participate in the auction from anywhere in the world,” continues Magleby. The Chamber of Commerce has partnered with auction platform Bidsquare to bring this Jackson Hole event to hundreds of people worldwide.

Viewers near and far can watch the entire event live and bid in sync with our in-person bidders. “The auction will be broadcasted live on Town Square for those who choose to watch and bid anonymously from outside the tent.”

Forty artists have committed to participate in the 2021 Jackson Hole QuickDraw to create works of fine art live in front of spectators. The event is unique in its intimacy between artist and buyer, providing spectators with an inside look into each artists’ creative process.

QuickDraw attendees can expect favorites who have been participating in the event for years, like Lyn St. Clair, Amy Ringholz, and Rip & Allison Caswell, alongside newcomers like Colt Idol, Amber Blazina, and Gleb Goloubetski.

Auctioning at lot 30 will be the Fall Arts Festival featured piece, an outstanding 64×48 oil on canvas titled ‘The Wort Hotel.’ Produced by artist Gary Lynn Roberts of West Lives On Gallery, Roberts claims this to be his best work yet.

It is spectacular to see the history of Jackson coming to life through this original work of art, and it will be incredible to see it go to live auction across the street from its source of inspiration, The Wort Hotel.

Destination art & cultural experiences that were sorely missed in 2020, including the Western Design Conference, Showcase of Homes, Western Visions, and the Jackson Hole Art Auction, also plan to make a return to in-person audiences for 2021. Tickets are currently available for each of these highly-anticipated events.

“Our artists and fans are very excited to be back in Jackson, so we expect a great turnout,” says Western Design Conference Executive Director Allison Merritt.

Local galleries, like Mountain Trails, Gallery Wild, New West Fine Art, West Lives On, and others, will participate in gallery walks, artist receptions, and meet & greets throughout the festival. The galleries are as excited as they are humbled to have artists back in town this year and interacting face-to-face with guests. These interactions between artists, spectators, and buyers are some of the most unique moments of the festival, creating personal experiences and furthering the conversation of art in the Valley.

“After such a trying year, it’s hard to put into words what the return of Fall Arts Festival events will mean to Jackson’s art community. The festival allows for artists to showcase new work and connect one-on-one with their Jackson, WY audience. It also challenges each artist to innovate the methodologies they use and dialogues they strive to create with their viewers by working alongside other world-class artists,” commented Lanier Mason, Fall Arts Festival Communications Coordinator.