16 artists, designers and authors will speak on a range of creative topics – plus book signings from authors – for September Jackson Hole event
Jackson, Wyoming – August 20, 2024 – The 32nd Western Design Conference Exhibit + Sale (WDC), September 5-8, 2024 – the annual kickoff to Jackson, Wyoming’s Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival – has announced a new Design Lecture Series for this year’s event. The schedule of talks, from an acclaimed collection of speakers including designers, artists and authors, represents a return to a tradition of speaker presentations from the WDC’s early days that will provide an additional layer of immersion for guests with Q&A opportunities offering the chance to dig more deeply into creative topics.
Jackson, Wyoming – August 20, 2024 – The 32nd Western Design Conference Exhibit + Sale (WDC), September 5-8, 2024 – the annual kickoff to Jackson, Wyoming’s Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival – has announced a new Design Lecture Series for this year’s event. The schedule of talks, from an acclaimed collection of speakers including designers, artists and authors, represents a return to a tradition of speaker presentations from the WDC’s early days that will provide an additional layer of immersion for guests with Q&A opportunities offering the chance to dig more deeply into creative topics.
“This year, in addition to the in-person opportunities to meet and shop the work of makers of some of the finest examples of American craft from across the country, we’re excited to return to our roots, once more highlighting the ‘conference’ piece of the Western Design Conference,” says executive director Allison Merritt. “Working with sponsor Build Magazine, we’re offering three days of 16 expert talks on a wide range of topics, and daily 2 p.m. happy hours in the adjacent WDC lounge, providing a creative space for attendees to collaborate, network and recharge while learning something new about the many facets of handcrafted Western Design.”
Hourly lectures will be presented on Friday, September 6 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., offering AIA and ASID CEU credits, and including a special Creativity Panel moderated by WDC presenting sponsor Planning Alternatives president Nathan Mersereau, and featuring juried artisans Elyse Allen, Doug Nordberg, Chrissy Glenn and Jonathan Ward. A series of 12 half-hour lectures will run on Saturday, September 7, and Sunday, September 8.
Book signings will accompany several of the lectures, representing new releases including “Alpenglow – Outdoor Celebrations for Every Season” by Hillary Munro with photographs by Lisa Flood, and the cookbook “Wild Sugar” by Lindsey Johnson and Chase Reynolds Ewald. Additional speakers signing books include Ellie Thompson for her new book, “Designing American Jewelry: From City Rhythms to Western Dreams,” as well as photographer Jules Frazier, signing copies of her recently released “Iconic Photographs of the American West.”
Along with the new Design Lecture Series, the WDC continues to offer an incomparable four-day shopping experience for guests to the foremost exhibition and celebration of what is happening in the world of Western furniture, fashion, home and lifestyle accessories. Guests can expect a lively Opening Preview Party on Thursday, September 6, from 6-10 p.m., with a live auction, presented by Planning Alternatives, and live runway fashion show sponsored by Wild Common Tequila. Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, guests can browse and buy the exceptional handcrafted work celebrating the spirit of the West directly from the juried artists who created it, representing 27 states from across the country. On-site catered bites by Spoons Bistro are available for purchase. Check here for the complete WDC Schedule of Events. Tickets can be purchased in advance online. Day-passes are $30; Thursday-night Preview Party + Fashion Show tickets are $100, or $175 for VIP passes with reserved seating.
About the Western Design Conference Exhibit + Sale: Celebrating 32 years in 2024, the annual Western Design Conference Exhibit + Sale is a four-day, multimillion-dollar event that brings together craftspeople, collectors, interior designers, architects, and fashion designers with a love of the West. The Western Design Conference was founded in Cody, Wyoming, to promote contemporary artists working in historical American craft methods. The Western Design Conference Exhibit + Sale moved to Jackson Hole in 2007, where Executive Director Allison Merritt continues the strong commitment to Western arts in Wyoming while expanding the reach of the show. Additional information, including schedules and tickets, is available at westerndesignconference.com and on Facebook and Instagram.
Media Contacts: Allison Merritt, [email protected], 307.690.9719; Amy Stark, Word PR + Marketing, [email protected].
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