This year’s Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival (FAF) takes place September 8-18, 2011. The festival’s popularity grows annually–as a commodity, top of the line art continues to retain or gain value. The Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival brings more visitors and arts enthusiasts to the area than any other annual regional event; it is a premier Western Art cultural event. Where else might one experience such sublime natural beauty and world class art? Visual arts, cowboy poetry, music, fine foods, auctions, parties, gallery openings, the best of Western design–find it all at the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival!
This is the first of two posts listing 2011’s FAF highlight events. This post covers events through Sunday, September 11; the second half of the FAF events calendar posts Monday, September 12, 2011.
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Thursday, September 8~
The Western Design Conference Lecture, Yellowstone to Yukon: the Journey of Wildlife and Art. FAF featured artist Dwanye Harty
discusses his artwork and travels inspired by the work of Carl Rungius. The exhibition takes viewers along migratory routes and mountain corridors, from Pinedale, Wyoming, to the Arctic Circle, Yukon Territory.
Center for the Arts, 2pm. $15 Exhibit & Sale day pass available at the door.
www.westerndesignconference.com
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Western Design Conference Gala Event: Fashion Jewelry Show
A live-model jewelry show and champagne celebration, followed by a runway fashion show “presenting western-genre couture collections from both up-and-coming and established 
fashion designers.” $22,000 or more in cash prizes to the exhibitors whose work best exemplifies the traditions and evolution of Western design.The event expands this year with the addition of a special showing of celebrity costume designer Manuel’s State Jacket Collection and the Winners Circle Art Auction. Big post-party! Center for the Arts, doors open at 6pm. Fashion Show at 7:15pm.
Tickets: $125 box seats, $100 main floor, $35 balcony. Reserved seating. Center Box Office: 307-733-4900 or jhcenterforthearts.com
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Kathryn Mapes Turner Solo Exhibition, By the Light of the Sun, at Trio Fine Art
Jackson artist Kathryn Mapes Turner’s new show, “By the Light of the Sun,” will be on exhibit at Trio Fine Art September 7-24, 2011. Artist’s reception takes place 5-8:00 pm. Turner will talk about her inspirations at 6:30 pm. The public is invited to attend this free event. Turner will be available at Trio Fine Art for the length of the exhibition. “By the Light of the Sun” showcases Turner’s newest collection of spectacular regional landscapes; this season, Turner’s muses are Jackson Hole’s signature aspen and cottonwood trees. Enchanted by cottonwoods’ forms and the aspen’s delicate colors, Turner explores the spaces these trees occupy, as well as the relational space between them. The show also includes soft, tonal landscape paintings of the Tetons and indigenous wildlife. Additionally, Turner will introduce new paintings of horses, so familiar and meaningful to the artist’s life in Wyoming.
Trio Fine Art, 545 N. Cache, (307) 734-4444, www.triofineart.com
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Galleries West Fine Art presents sculptor R. Scott Nickell sculpting all day, every day, Sept. 8-18. Stop by and meet the artist and watch as he sculpts his latest masterpiece!
Galleries West Fine Art, 70 S. Glenwood, 5-9pm, (307) 733-4412, www.gallerieswestjacksonhole.com
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Friday, September 9 ~
19th Annual Western Design Conference Gallery Exhibit Sale
An extravaganza of Western furniture, home accessories and fashion. Great show, make sure you go! I still have my goodie bag from last year! Artisans display handcrafted functional artin leather, metal, accents, woodworking, jewelry and fashion.
The Pavilion at Snow King Resort, 10am – 5pm
Tickets at the door – $15 day pass
www.westerndesignconference.com
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Palates & Palettes Gallery Walk! Visit more than 30 galleries as they open their doors and serve up delicious cuisine and fine art! 5-8:00 pm. Gallery events this evening coincide with this event. A great way to kick off FAF week! Free, open to the public.
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Artists’ Open Studio, a show of works by various Jackson Hole artists, opens today in conjunction with Palates & Palettes. On display in the Lobby of the Center for the Arts, all works have artist information and contacts available; call individual artists to arrange a visit to their studios. For information contact Jenny Dowd, at [email protected]
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Trio Fine Art Gallery demonstrations. Trio artists Kathryn Mapes Turner, Lee Carlman Riddell, September Vhay and Jennifer Hoffman demonstrate drawing and painting techniques in the gallery. All are welcome to stop in! Free admission.
Trio Fine Art Gallery, 545 N. Cache, (307) 734-4444, www.triofineart.com
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Diehl Gallery Presents Sheila Norgate: Risk Everything
Diehl Gallery welcomes Canadian painter Sheila Norgate for her third solo exhibition of new works. “The text that always appears in my work is vitally important to me,” says Norgate. “It acts as a further
extension of myself, another layer of enunciation and emancipation and I grow more committed to its use with every passing day.” Diehl Gallery is pleased to again partner with Ignight. The show runs from September 9th thru the 30th. Sale proceeds benefit the Jackson Hole Land Trust.
Diehl Gallery, 155 West Broadway, 5-9pm, (307) 733-0905, www.diehlgallery.com
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Heather James Fine Art presents 20th Century artist Earl Cunningham, in a show entitled Earl Cunningham: American Fauve. The exhibition is on view September 9 – October 29, 2011. The gallery notes Cunningham “painted mostly landscapes of the coasts of Maine, New York, Michigan, North and South Carolina, Georgia and Florida…used vivid colors, flat perspective, and a few recurrent themes. His works depict the many small interactions of the Atlantic coastal ecosystem, the dockworkers, harbor pilots, fisherman, farmers, waterfowl and American Indian tribes.” Palates & Palettes reception, 6-8:00 pm. RSVP to Jim Carona at [email protected] or call 307-200-6090. www.heatherjames.com
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Tayloe Piggott Gallery features an installation of works by internationally known artists, “incorporated into vignettes depicting art and the communication of space.” Art + Communication of Space features works by Raul Diaz, Nathaniel Donnett, James Drake, and Peggy Preheim. “It is not easy to admit to or even simply observe the fragility, fleetingness and loneliness of human existence,” says the gallery. “These featured artists…invite us on their personal journeys.” Described as a “highly sensory display,” the exhibtion remains up through October 17th. Reception hours tonight are 5-9 pm.
Tayloe Piggott Gallery, 62 S. Glenwood St, (307) 733-0555, www.tayloepiggottgallery.com
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Cayuse Western Americana’s show Cowgirls: Women of the West showcases the clothing, gear and images of the West’s first cowgirls. A special grouping of women’s spurs is part of this exhibit and sale,
and many pieces are from Wyoming. Master jeweler and metalsmith Susan Adams will be on hand for Cayuse’s P&P party, happening 5-8:oo pm. Yee ha! Show runs through September.
Other galleries to check out: David Brookover Gallery, the Art Association, Legacy, Galleries West, Henry Holdsworth, Mountain Trails, Trailside, Altamira, Buffalo Trails, MADE, West Lives On, Crazy Horse, and the Wyoming Gallery.
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Saturday, September 10 ~
Western Design Conference Exhibition and Sale continues! The Pavilion at Snow King Resort, 10am – 5pm. Tickets at the door – $15 day pass. www.westerndesignconference.com
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Historic Ranch Tours ” Visit historic valley ranches, where Jackson Hole’s cowboy heritage still thrives. Start out at the Walton Ranch and then head to the Snake River Ranch. The tour is complete with cowboys, Western entertainment, and a good ol’ fashion barbeque.” Buses leave Jackson’s Home Ranch parking lot at 3 p.m. Cost: $50 307.733.3316 or 307.699.3868
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Artist Erin C. O’Connor demonstrates plein air painting on location at String Lake, Grand Teton National Park. O’Connor finds
her greatest inspiration by painting directly within the environment. Noted for her participation in many prestigious Plein Air events, she is represented in collections and exhibits throughout the country. O’Connor was awarded the 2009 Joshua Tree National Park “Artist-in-Residency” post. Presented by “Artists in the Environment” and the Grand Teton Association. Find us near Leigh Lake’s picnic area parking lot. Free! Contact/Moderator: Tammy Christel. [email protected]
Time: 2:00-5:00 pm
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Tom Mangelsen’s Images of Nature Gallery Annual Fall Reception World-renowned wildlife and nature photographer 
Thomas D. Mangelsen will share his latest images at the event. Mangelsen will visit with collectors, tell stories about his photographic journeys and sign books and limited edition prints. Party happens 6-9:00 pm.
Images of Nature Gallery, 170 N. Cache, (307) 733-9752, www.mangelsen.com
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Mountain Trails Gallery – Two Man Show “ A Family Legacy” A show featuring father and son sculptors, Vic Payne and Dustin Payne. Show remains up through September 18th. Mountain Trails Gallery, 155 Center Street, (307) 734-8150, www.mtntrails.net
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The Factory Studios, on Gregory Lane, presents Kelly Halpin’s recent work–“….darkly humorous drawings, paintings, and animations about life in Jackson Hole, and world wide ecological issues. Her unique style could be described as somewhere between film noir, Ralph Steadman, and punk rock.” www.thecoffeeweirds.com 6:30-9:30 pm.
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Sunday, September 11~ (Happy Birthday, Dad!)
19th Annual Western Design Conference Gallery Exhibit Sale continues. The Pavilion at Snow King Resort, 10am – 5pm. Tickets at the door – $15 day pass. www.westerndesignconference.com
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12th Annual Takin’ It to the Streets! An open-air, juried art fair featuring 40 local artists, including some of Jackson’s finest. Presented by the Jackson Hole Art Association.
Jackson Town Square, 10am – 4pm. Contact Amy Fradley at 307.733.8792 or [email protected]
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Taste of the Tetons Valley chefs, restaurants and caterers put their best culinary work on display for sampling. Wine tasting, silent auction, and the Howdy Pardners “Pickin’ in the Park” – musical entertainment by The Jackson Hole Cowboy Jubilee. Each taste ticket is $1. Jackson Town Square, 11am – 4pm.
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Next week’s Fall Arts Festival events include the National Museum of Wildlife Art’s Western Visions: Miniatures and More Show & Sale, the Jackson Hole Art Auction, the 16th Annual Jackson Hole Quick Draw Show & Sale, Gallery Walks and many more events taking place at your favorite galleries!
Tammy Christel 
